Tough Road

Greetings!!!

Do you have snow this morning? Instead of the rain that was predicted here, we got snow last night-enough that it made the going very difficult on my morning walk. At first I was slipping and sliding all over the place making me aware of the fact that I needed to be careful because there were many treacherous places. Some were quite obvious so I slowed down and used extra caution. But several times, when I came to a stretch that seemed safer, because the sun was melting the ice, I got more confident and walked with a quicker step. On one such occasion, I hit black ice. After being held up by the hand of God - it certainly was not my own ability, I should have fallen - I looked back. There was no evidence of any ice on the road, but it was icy.

As I thought about that situation, it reminded me that life is like that. So often you are going along with not a care in the world. Then, suddenly, it is like the rug has been pulled out from under you. Is there no safe guard? You can find it in Psalm 119:105-112

Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

I have sworn, and I will confirm it,

That I will keep Thy righteous ordinances.

I am exceedingly afflicted; 

Revive me, O LORD, according to Thy word.

O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,

And teach me Thine ordinances.

My life is continually in my hand,

Yet I do not forget Thy law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me,

Yet I have not gone astray from Thy precepts.

I have inherited Thy testimonies forever,

For they are the joy of my heart.

I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes

Forever, even to the end.

Whether you are confident in your walk or feel you are on shaky ground, there is only one safe guard. That is the Word of God. Are you using it as the light for your path and the lamp for your feet, or are you content to make your own way? If you are going your own way, I must warn you, be careful of the black ice that is just waiting for you. It looks all right. It looks safe. But in the end you could be struggling for all you are worth not to go down, and go down hard. When was the last time you sought the Word of God for direction in your life? Maybe it time to start today.

The LORD bless you with recognizing His light in your life.

I love you,

Ruth

What Is Your Focus?

Greetings!!!

Do you remember the dogs I told you about that greet me like clockwork every morning? To my surprise yesterday morning, when I got to the place where I usually hear the barking and baying of hounds, there was silence. I could see the dogs, but they did not see me. I wondered what was wrong. When I got close enough to see what the distraction was, I realized that every one of those dogs was focus on its master who was at the kennels talking to them. I was not their concern at that time.

Almost instantly, Matthew 14: 25-32 came to mind. "And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking upon the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, "It's a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Peter walked on the water! He remained above the waves for as long as he focused on Jesus and not on the storm around him! In the same way that the wind and the waves did not stop Peter from walking on the water while he focused on Jesus, and nothing could disrupt those dogs from focusing on their master, I tell you "fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith". You are safe in His hands, rest there. You are safe in His hands, be at peace. You are safe in His hands, focus your gaze on His face and listen intently to His word. Nothing needs to disturb or disrupt your day.

The LORD bless you with a determined, intense focus on Him.

I love you,

Ruth

The Reunion

Greetings!!!

Have you ever been to a funeral? Have you ever been to a reunion? On November 1, 2008, I went to the funeral of a very special lady-           Mary Simmons. Since we have been attending a church that is closer to our community, arriving for the viewing was much like a reunion for me. I saw so many precious friends that I have not seen in a long time. I said to several people that being at a funeral should not be such a blessing, to which one person responded, "That is the way Mary would have wanted it." When the service started, Pastor Bellis announced that Mary wanted this service to be a celebration. We were to rejoice in her going home to be with "her Jesus".

As I thought about feeling like I was at a reunion and a celebration, I got an image of this picture from heaven's side. There will be a reunion! There are two Scriptures came to mind that make me believe this. First is Luke 16:19-22. Jesus is telling a parable to the people. "Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day. And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered in sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man died and was buried also." 

The other Scripture is in Luke 23:40-43 where Jesus is on the cross between two thieves. One of the thieves, along with much of the crowd, is hurling insults at Jesus. The other thief responds, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" An He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

In the footnote of my Study Bible it says, "The Talmud mentions both Abraham's bosom and Paradise as the home of the righteous. Its bliss is the quality of blessedness reserved for people like Abraham." Also, that "paradise refers to a place of bliss and rest between death and resurrection." Whatever or wherever that place is, those who die in Christ will be there together with Jesus until the day He returns to earth. When I think of some of the people I know who are waiting there, I know there is a big celebration going on, and I am waiting, with great anticipation, to join them there. 

The LORD bless you with being ready for that great and glorious reunion!

I love you,

Ruth

The Gap

Greetings!!!

As I was running last week, I looked to my right and saw the gap between the mountains, and it really struck me like a neon sign. Once again I have a word stuck in my head--GAP. As I thought about the word gap I found that it has various meanings: the geography term which started this-a narrow opening, especially through a mountain;  a break or hole; an unfilled space or interval; a difference, especially an undesirable one, between two views.

In Ezekiel 22-23-31, Ezekiel tells us: And the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Son of man, say to her, 'You are a land that is not cleansed or rain on in the day of indignation.' There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst, like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her.  Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and I am profaned among them. Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the LORD GOD,' when the LORD has not spoken. The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and oppressed the sojourner without justice. And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads," declared the LORD GOD.

Are you willing to intercede with God on behalf of your nation? Are you willing to be the one to stand in the gap and plead for the mercy of God on the souls of men? Are you willing to humble yourself and pray and seek God's face and turn from your wicked ways so that God's wrath and destruction will be abated. Are you willing to pray that the sins of your nation will be forgiven and your land healed? Choose to be like Moses who stood in the breach before God to turn away His wrath from destroying Israel while they were in the desert. Your prayers are powerful and avail much, but you have to pray them!! Stand in the gap!

The LORD bless you with taking the time to pray.

I love you,

Ruth

Strong Tower

Greetings!!!

Are you still reeling from the election results? As a child of God, are you confused, hurt and maybe even angry because you feel God did not answer the prayers of the saints. I know that many people where fasting and praying about the elections, and I want to assure you that God did not fall asleep and not hear the prayers and petitions of His saints. God did not hear their prayers and forget to act. God is still on the throne and still in control.

David's words from 2 Samuel 22:2-4 really spoke to me today. I pray that  they minister to you as well.

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 

My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, 

My shield and the horn of my salvation, 

             my stronghold and my refuge;

My savior, Thou dost save me from violence.

I call upon the LORD. who is worthy to be praised;

And I am saved from my enemies."

No matter what you are facing today--disappointments, financial struggles, physical difficulties, confusion or whatever is your enemy today--God is in control. God loves you. God has good plans for your life. The things going on in your life can be used by God to bring Him glory and you good. Rest in Him.

I conclude with the words from "Strong Tower" by Kutless

When I wander through the desert

And I'm longing for my home

All my dreams have gone astray

When I'm stranded in the valley

And I'm tired and all alone

It seems like I've lost my way

I go running to Your mountain

Where Your mercy sets me free

You are my strong tower

Shelter over me

Beautiful and mighty

Everlasting King

You are my strong tower

Fortress when I'm weak

Your name is True and Holy

And Your face is all I seek

In the middle of my darkness

In the midst of all my fear

You're my refuge and my hope

When the storm of life is raging

And the thunder's all I hear

You speak softly to my soul

Now I'm running to Your mountain

Where Your mercy sets me free

You are my strong tower

Shelter over me

Beautiful and mighty

Everlasting King

You are my strong tower

Fortress when I'm weak

Your name is True and Holy

And Your face is all I seek

The LORD bless you with peace and assurance of His control.

I love you,

Ruth

Anchor

Greetings!!!

Have you ever had a word stuck in your head? For at least a week the word anchor has been rolling around in my head and I have not been able to get to my blog. What is an anchor? I like the New World Dictionary of America English definition: any device that holds something else secure; anything that gives or seems to give stability or security. What is the the anchor in your life? Is it a good job or having enough money in your savings accounts? Perhaps it is in having the right relationships. With just completing the Presidential election in the United States, do you have your anchor in who will run this nation? What is your anchor?

As I listened to my Biblestick, I heard: "When God made His promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for Him to swear by, He swore by Himself, saying, 'I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.' And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves and the oath confirms what is said and puts and end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that , by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled  to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

No matter how shaky the anchors are in your life, there is an anchor for your soul that is actually able to hold you securely and that truly gives you stability and security. Is your soul secure? It can be. It is as simple as choosing to have a relationship with Jesus Christ the Lord.

The LORD bless you with realizing the security you can have in Him.

I love you,

Ruth