A New and Fresh Beginning

I love the new year.  I don’t make resolutions.  I do pray and commit myself to the Lord afresh. His mercies are new everyday and His love never fails.

As the New Year approaches, I am continuing to pray for clear direction in many areas.  I know that the Lord will be faithful. I know that as I put my hand to the plow, if it’s God’s plow, the work will not overtake me and I will find joy, peace and rest while carrying and walking out the burden Christ has laid on my heart.

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

What a beautiful picture! I want to live life in obedience to God…carrying His light load as he carries my cares and worries.

Happy New Year to you all!  May your Year be FULL and INTENTIONAL!

In the Presence of Hunger

The last couple days have been pensive here. No negative happenings spurred the inquisitive and contemplative time…quite contrary actually…my sweet husband has been HUNGRY!

HUNGRY? I know, what can cause so much contemplation?  Well..he isn’t hungry physically. He’s hungry for the Truth that is only found in the Word Of God.   As he has read and prayed and pondered and wrestled and prayed and read and pondered, I have had such a difficult time reading his expressions and body language. It’s funny how our very countenance is changed by the presence of God.

Just as Moses’ countenance was change after he met with God on the mountain, so is our countenance changed when we earnestly seek and find God. 

I am thankful for a husband who still seeks to KNOW the Living God.  Who studies “to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.  I also love that he is humble and will be very embarrassed that I wrote such admirable things about him…but they are true.

He is a wonderful example of a husband, father and friend…but He has spurred me to hunger this week as well.

May we all be changed to look more like Christ.  May we glow with His presence like Moses so others may wonder and marvel at God’s awesomeness.

Merry Christmas to you all!

   Katie

Resolve

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."   Psalms 118:24

I love that the Word of God is alive and fresh!  I love that every time I read it, it speaks to me. This is the day the  Lord has made...I've always loved this verse.  I've often quoted this verse as a reminder that everyday is a gift from God and my thanks to Him should be on my lips from the moment I rise to the moment I sleep.

Today, as I was reading Psalms, I read the same words but saw the need to emphasize WILL...we WILL rejoice and be glad in it. The Lord is good ALL the time but I don't always rejoice in His handy work.  Not because I don't appreciated it, notice it, or love it...but because I don't intentionally resolve to voice my rejoicing!  It is a choice....as with all areas of our lives.  To say I WILL rejoice...I WILL honor Christ...I WILL look to the King of Kings for my needs, desires and daily food.

The living Word of God...speaking to me again, about intentionality, resolve, choices...How sweet it is to know the King Of Kings, Lord of Lords loves me enough to write His words in paper form to love on me, correct me and raise me up in His power and grace.

I pray that today I WILL rejoice and be glad...no matter what the day holds for me.

There IS Hope...

I love the Biblical accounts of Mary as she was being filled with the Lord...her journey...her obedience...Josephs obedience!  What an awesome testimony and heritage she left for the world...being found righteous in the sight of the God Almighty. God had an Awesome plan laid for Mary and Joseph's life.  He has a plan for each of us as well...each one just as important as Mary and Joseph's, for it is the same.  The call to follow Him...to show His Love and Grace to those around us...to teach our Children about His great Love and Sacrifice...to be Obedient in walking after His ways, with His character and His heart of compassion.

 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."Jeremiah 29:11-13

I am not always obedient, not even in the little things sometimes, but I know that God is merciful, and if I am seeking Him, He will change this heart of mine into a willing and obedient heart, that He may find pleasure in my actions. Meanwhile, I thank the Lord for the 'hope and future' that He has orchestrated for me, and YOU, as followers of Christ. This year, I am being intentional to enjoy the Christmas Season.  I have a wonderful family around me, whether immediate, extended or my family of friends and I am rejoicing before the Lord for the Symphony of people he orchestrates in my life! 

Take time to thank the Lord for being Jesus (Saviour), Emmanuel (God With Us), today.  Even when Life is difficult and despairing, he IS with us. It's WHO and WHY He IS.

Merry Christmas to you all!