Praising Him Today from "His Kindness Year Round" . . .

God is so good . . . .

The past several weeks I have been seeking God's guidance on particular situations.  As I will do sometimes, because I want to ensure I'm following His will, I'll ask Him for a "neon sign".  Basically, I'm saying, "Father, I want to hear and clearly understand the decision I am to make." 

Also within these weeks, I've been receiving repetitive passages of scripture or words from Christian servants or music.  I don't mean an occasional message -- but numerous messages daily -- in almost everything I hear and read.  That's right, folks, no coincidence but GOD speaking.

I know when we are walking the direction God wants for us, He will guide the way.  He will lead us the entire way.  We need to believe He is taking care of everything (because He is) and allow Him to take care of everything.  Believe.  And wait. 

John 11:40 "Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

God truly is speaking the same concepts to me over and over and over.  If I don't listen and obey, that's my tremendous error.  When given a “neon sign” from God and ignored -- genuinely a huge mistake.

I was shown Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven."

Rather than rush and push through day by day and follow the wishes of man . . . . yoohoo . . . . Robin . . . . enjoy and treasure each season without trying to rush from season to season (even during a difficult season, because that season will end!).  God does not rush!  He wants me to have a better life than to race from season to season.    Getting into the fleshly habit of rushing can make it difficult to slow down and receive God's peace and joy.  Life is too precious to allow that to happen.

Jeremiah 31:25 "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."

Listen to God, not people.  Often God speaks through others so I'm not suggesting to ignore the words of others, but really listen to God.  It can be easy to get wrapped up in what people want for us.  We need to discern if it's what God wants for us or if it is what others want for us.  Ask Him for clarification and understanding.  Do your part in the plan, and He certainly will do His portion.  Take His matters out of your hands and place them back in His hands.  Believe.  Trust.

2 Timothy 1:7 "For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 

God keeps emphasizing to me to stand strong in Him and not the flesh.  Nothing, not even the enemy, satan, will stop me from fulfilling God's plan for me.  I am to allow Him to provide and care for me.  I am to ask Him for my needs and the desires of my heart.  I am to stay focused on HIM.  He is THE answer!  A dear sister has reminded me several times recently to stay strong; stay focused; stay courageous.  We are victors and we will prevail!  Before a difficulty ever occurs, we are already victorious because of Jesus death and resurrection!

Romans 8:37 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  For the Lord, your God, will be with you wherever you go." 

Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

And I could go on and on of the repetitive message God has been supplying me in just a week or so.  The same messages over and over, constantly, daily.  My "neon signs". 

I remember an old hymn I haven't heard in years.  The chorus goes "Where He leads me I will follow, where He leads me I will follow, where He leads me I will follow, I'll go with Him, with Him, all the way."  And He will go with me all the way.

Have faith in Him; He is still with us.  Stay strong and focused on things of the Father and not things of the world. 

Thank you, dear Heavenly Father.  Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Listening to the Good Shepherd from "His Kindness Year Round"!

Hi to all – and Happy Summer, 

When I experience what I consider a joy in my life, I don’t complain about an abundance of blessings.  I enjoy the special goodness I receive.

When I experience what I consider unpleasantness in my life, tough times, or difficulties, I want these things to ‘go away’, disappear – and quickly!

I can’t even begin to convey to you the number of times in the past few months people have spoken of satan attempting to work in their lives.  Or the number of times I’ve heard Christian speakers and writers mention the work of the devil.  Or the number of times I’ve been reunited with John 10:10,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.”

You know I don’t believe in coincidence.  These repetitive messages are reminders from the Holy One.  On the radio in the car this week the passage of Psalm 31:24 was mentioned . . . . “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

The Word of God is truth.  From beginning to end.  The story of John 10 tells the parable of the good Shepherd, Jesus, and His sheep – us.  He cares for His sheep; knows them (us) by name, and the sheep know His voice.  He is the gate – THE way to enter Heaven.  The Shepherd came so we could have life – a full, abundant life. 

Then the thief appears.  He is the villain, who only means to harm the sheep.  The thief, our enemy, is satan.  He has the job of liar, deceiver, and intimidator.  He thoroughly intends to kill, steal and destroy us – you and I.  He works every angle, every tactic he can.  As Pastor Sandra Kennedy stated recently, “Satan cannot tempt us beyond what we are able to bear.”  He wants to keep our focus off the Shepherd.  He wants to keep our ears from the voice of the Shepherd – outside the gate, a scattered flock. 

Think back to Job.  He was certainly tempted by the enemy (satan) and nearly destroyed.  He became discouraged.  But he didn’t fall to satan’s mental and physical temptations.  He stayed committed to God. 

Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord, your God, Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

It may be easy to succumb to the fears from the enemy.  Trade the fear for faith in our Father.  As a dear sister reminded me this week, keep your eye on the prize.  Look at the big picture.  God has a marvelous future for each of us.

The feelings of discouragement or being overwhelmed are human.  Temptations will arise as long as we remain on earth.  The ultimate prize is being face to face with our Lord.  Keep your sight on God’s glory!

Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’”.

I’ve been reminded by another dear sister to cast my cares on Him, our Shepherd, our Provider, THE ONE WHO GIVES PEACE!  She wrote to me Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  

Don’t be anxious because of the devil’s trickery.  He will always try to accomplish his tasks.  (Don’t ya just want to say, “Stop it, devil!”)  Look to Jesus!

I read a devotion this week after the dear sister sent the passage above . . . . it included Philippians 4:6-7.  This same dear friend told me the verse of that day on a local Christian radio station was . . . . . Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (NO, not a coincidence; there is no such thing!)

Let’s finish the story in John 10 with versus 14–18:

“I am the good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me -- just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father – and I lay down My life for the sheep.  I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.  I must bring them also.  They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd.  The reason My Father loves me is that I lay down My life – only to take it up again.  No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.  I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.  This command I receive from My Father.” 

There are sheep currently not in the pen.  They need to hear His voice and become part of His flock.  He sees, hears and cares about us all.  Will you help bring the lost sheep into the fold?  Will you share the story of the good Shepherd?

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

God's perfect timing in sharing a picture entitled (you'll have to read to find out) from His Kindness Year Round . . .

I wrote this almost two weeks ago and placed it aside.  I picked it up again last night, realizing this is God’s perfect timing in posting this message.

Over 15 years ago, a local artist gave me an intricate pencil drawing of a four legged stool, loaded with boxes of varying sizes, one on top of another.  There are other stacked boxes surrounding the stool.  I imagine the drawing in my mind as I write.  Although the stool has four legs, it is leaning, with only three legs touching the floor. As you can visualize, the boxes are not secure on the stool, because the stool is not sitting level on the floor. 

You can’t identify from the drawing if the stool or boxes ever topple over, or if they stand strong on the stool. 

The drawing is entitled “Fragile”.

The dictionary defines fragile as easily broken; weak; delicate; frail.

We, as Christians, don’t want to accept it; we don’t want to claim it on our lives, but probably everyone has experienced a time in which their flesh – the human nature in us – has ‘felt’ fragile.

Sometimes a situation or a combination of circumstances in life may cause our soul – the human thoughts, emotions and feelings – to feel fragile.  Naturally, the enemy, satan, gets excited as we feel fragile.  We make him happy because he knows he’s succeeding in trying to kill, steal and destroy us.

Many strong Christian followers in God’s Word and during our lifetime have at some point experienced this.  You are not alone if you’ve ever had the perception of being fragile. 

If you go through the human emotion of being fragile, if you ever think you are a stool on three legs, loaded with boxes, please don’t spiral downward.  The wicked enemy will use all of his deceitfulness and lies to pull you down; to knock you over; to swash you flat.  As a special sister mentioned to me this week, cast your cares upon the Lord.  He wants them.  He asks for them.  He died for them.  Why would we want to carry something HE DIED FOR?

John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Instead of holding on to every trial from the world, hold onto the Hand of THE ONE who is the Rescuer; the Healer; the Savior; the strong to the fragile. 

Have too many “boxes” on your stool?  Chances are we either placed them there, or allowed someone else to place them there.  Do you ever sense that you give the word “multi-tasking” an elevated meaning?  Choose whether you want to juggle the boxes, or put some away.  Choose if you want to do what God wants you to do in your life, or what everyone else wants you to do.  The Father reminds me from time to time that I am on this earth to please HIM, and no one else. 

Several weeks ago God put the words, “healthy assertiveness” in my heart.  Love and value yourself enough to learn the very simple word, “No”.  Life really is a marathon and not a sprint.

Rid your life of unneeded boxes!  Put your stool on all four legs!  Live the life God intends for you to live!  Do what you need to please our Creator and Father Who has a home prepared for you in Heaven! 

Take the time to read John 14.  It begins with these words from Jesus, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  (He has a HOME for me!)

Accept and expect the Holy Spirit, the great Comforter and Counselor that Jesus provided us with, to give you peace.   

Jesus is there to take those boxes; let Him do what He died to do!

Prayerfully, your sister in HIM,

Robin