Proverbs 18:8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
I love the whispered words of my Heavenly Father when He shares His love for me. I am strengthened by the whispered words of encouragement that my Savior and Friend, Jesus, gives when reminding me that He really does understand how hard the world is towards those who trust in God alone. I am filled with hope when the Holy Spirit whispers words of guidance or even correction. I truly love the voice of God speaking into my life!
There is power in a whisper. When I want my husband or even my little grandchildren to listen to me, a whisper becomes my loud speaker. For some odd reason a whisper commands the other person to be quiet and really take notice. I don't use my soft voice often enough!
Elijah was a man of God.God told him to go to the mount and stand before the Lord. "And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave." (I Kings 19:11-13 ESV)
The Lord spoke in a "Thin silence" as the Hebrew words translated as "...a still small voice." This is the voice God uses to work deep into our souls. He uses this "thin silence" to make known His power in a gentle way. It is this voice that I long to hear every day. It is this voice that makes me know I am loved and safe. Only His voice can whisper those delicious morsels that go deep into the inner parts of me.
Holy and Most Powerful God, You are my joy and my delight! You veil Your power in quiet whispers so that I can know Your powerful love and protection. Forgive me when I turn my ear away from You, the only One in whom I can trust. Thank You for never turning away from me. Thank you for Your whispers of love, strength, encouragement, hope and correction! You are so wonderful! Open my ears that I might hear. Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mouth that I might repeat Your goodness to others!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Proverbs Seventeen
Proverbs 17:6 "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers."
Grandchildren become the crown in which grandparents regale. They are the entertainment and delight of those of us who have lived many years. We feast on each new accomplishment and proudly assert the special abilities to anyone who will listen.
I confess that I belong to an online group we call "Grannies in a Box." We brag over achievements, cry over hurts, and allow each other tirades for any and all opposition to our favorite people in the wole world: our Grands. I have been with the group for 12 years now. We understand one another. We wear the crown of our grandchildren proudly.
For example, I have five crowns that I display to the listening world whenever I can. Each one bears his or her own gems. No two are exactly alike. My Grandladies and Grandmen make me laugh, cry and cheer.
Though God is not a Grandparent, He must know what it is like, because He is one who listens, and tells stories and cheers us on every day. He is our Father, though, and He is our Glory. We look to Him for the best of everything.
Father, you are the glory and the lifter of my head. You shine in the darkness. You are there when I need you. You never fail to hear me. I fall short, Lord, in so many ways. I fail to honor those who have gone before me sometimes. It just seems so hard to take time for aging parents. Thank You for reminding me to reach out to them, listening to their stories even when they repeat again and again. Thank You for letting them be a part of my life. Teach me how to honor their lives and to love them.
Grandchildren become the crown in which grandparents regale. They are the entertainment and delight of those of us who have lived many years. We feast on each new accomplishment and proudly assert the special abilities to anyone who will listen.
I confess that I belong to an online group we call "Grannies in a Box." We brag over achievements, cry over hurts, and allow each other tirades for any and all opposition to our favorite people in the wole world: our Grands. I have been with the group for 12 years now. We understand one another. We wear the crown of our grandchildren proudly.
For example, I have five crowns that I display to the listening world whenever I can. Each one bears his or her own gems. No two are exactly alike. My Grandladies and Grandmen make me laugh, cry and cheer.
Though God is not a Grandparent, He must know what it is like, because He is one who listens, and tells stories and cheers us on every day. He is our Father, though, and He is our Glory. We look to Him for the best of everything.
Father, you are the glory and the lifter of my head. You shine in the darkness. You are there when I need you. You never fail to hear me. I fall short, Lord, in so many ways. I fail to honor those who have gone before me sometimes. It just seems so hard to take time for aging parents. Thank You for reminding me to reach out to them, listening to their stories even when they repeat again and again. Thank You for letting them be a part of my life. Teach me how to honor their lives and to love them.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Proverbs Sixteen
Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
I do not like to think that I may have enemies, but I do know that over the years I have had people who have been very angry at me for one reason or another. Funny thing is that sometimes I am my own worst enemy!
Most of my enemies are made with words misunderstood, words spewed out in anger, or haughty words that bring the other person low. It is only when the other person reacts that I realize that I have made an enemy. But, I don't like to have enemies, and so I become desperate to resolve the problem.
When I try to fix the wrong doing myself it usually turns out worse. My pride or anger is heightened by someone not admitting that I am right and they are wrong. Oh, yes, I try to repair the damage with more of my word weapons. It is like a using a flame thrower to heal a sunburn. OUCH!
It is only when I go to the Lord and ask Him what to do that I find myself on the road to peace holding out the white flag. Through changing my thinking and my way of looking at a situation, I can diffuse the pride and anger in me first. It is His ways that can lead me to peace with my neighbor that has been hurt and wounded by me. It is His ways that allow outstretched arms to embrace the hostile enemy and offer peace and healing. His ways are not my ways, but His ways please Him and eventually please me and my enemy.
Lord of Peace, You are mighty to bring down the strongholds within me. You wash away my guilt and lay out a pathway of healing and peace, if I only will make my way pleasing to You. Thank You for turning my heart toward peace when I am so inflated by self. Thank You for healing me and helping me be a part of the healing in others. Make me a vessel of Your peace.
I do not like to think that I may have enemies, but I do know that over the years I have had people who have been very angry at me for one reason or another. Funny thing is that sometimes I am my own worst enemy!
Most of my enemies are made with words misunderstood, words spewed out in anger, or haughty words that bring the other person low. It is only when the other person reacts that I realize that I have made an enemy. But, I don't like to have enemies, and so I become desperate to resolve the problem.
When I try to fix the wrong doing myself it usually turns out worse. My pride or anger is heightened by someone not admitting that I am right and they are wrong. Oh, yes, I try to repair the damage with more of my word weapons. It is like a using a flame thrower to heal a sunburn. OUCH!
It is only when I go to the Lord and ask Him what to do that I find myself on the road to peace holding out the white flag. Through changing my thinking and my way of looking at a situation, I can diffuse the pride and anger in me first. It is His ways that can lead me to peace with my neighbor that has been hurt and wounded by me. It is His ways that allow outstretched arms to embrace the hostile enemy and offer peace and healing. His ways are not my ways, but His ways please Him and eventually please me and my enemy.
Lord of Peace, You are mighty to bring down the strongholds within me. You wash away my guilt and lay out a pathway of healing and peace, if I only will make my way pleasing to You. Thank You for turning my heart toward peace when I am so inflated by self. Thank You for healing me and helping me be a part of the healing in others. Make me a vessel of Your peace.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Proverbs Fifteen
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Years ago I took ballet lessons. I was a Mommy to an aspiring dancer and decided to take lessons as exercise. The adult class was fun, and we were asked to participate in the end of the year recital. Outfits were selected and we practiced hard for our dance just like the other classes.
The night of the recital I was so very nervous. I was so unsure of myself and even a bit embarrassed to be on stage where everyone would see me. I prayed and told God that I wanted Him to be pleased. When the music began, and I became lost in the dance. Throughout the dance I felt God's eyes fixed on me. Like a beloved daughter, I danced for my Heavenly Daddy! I believed He smiled like the proud Father He is.
That was one of my proudest moments, but I have had moments far less. I know that God has also seen me at my worst. He has seen inside my heart when my words stung and my heart was full of anger toward one of His other beloved children. He has seen my every action and knows every motivation and thought. Every failure is seen in His light. His eyes are perfect.
My Father's eyes keep watch over me in good times and bad. He also watches over the evil ones who would defile His name and harm His children. Great love! He watches with love. He watches, waiting for us to watch Him and follow his ways. His way is love.
Watcher of Men, You love perfectly! You do not exclude those who fail to return Your love. I am ashamed that I have not always watched You love me and returned love back to You! Forgive me. I know it must break Your heart when You watch me turn away from Your love. Thank You for loving, forgiving, and blessing me. I want to be like You. Help me watch others as You watch me!
Years ago I took ballet lessons. I was a Mommy to an aspiring dancer and decided to take lessons as exercise. The adult class was fun, and we were asked to participate in the end of the year recital. Outfits were selected and we practiced hard for our dance just like the other classes.
The night of the recital I was so very nervous. I was so unsure of myself and even a bit embarrassed to be on stage where everyone would see me. I prayed and told God that I wanted Him to be pleased. When the music began, and I became lost in the dance. Throughout the dance I felt God's eyes fixed on me. Like a beloved daughter, I danced for my Heavenly Daddy! I believed He smiled like the proud Father He is.
That was one of my proudest moments, but I have had moments far less. I know that God has also seen me at my worst. He has seen inside my heart when my words stung and my heart was full of anger toward one of His other beloved children. He has seen my every action and knows every motivation and thought. Every failure is seen in His light. His eyes are perfect.
My Father's eyes keep watch over me in good times and bad. He also watches over the evil ones who would defile His name and harm His children. Great love! He watches with love. He watches, waiting for us to watch Him and follow his ways. His way is love.
Watcher of Men, You love perfectly! You do not exclude those who fail to return Your love. I am ashamed that I have not always watched You love me and returned love back to You! Forgive me. I know it must break Your heart when You watch me turn away from Your love. Thank You for loving, forgiving, and blessing me. I want to be like You. Help me watch others as You watch me!
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