You are blessed! from "His Kindness Year Round"

Our nation and world is in a condition I have not seen in my lifetime.  And that’s not said in a positive manner.

I hear of so many who take what they have for granted.  Many feel they are entitled to more.  It's not enough.  Deserve.  More.  I am not saying don't expect or believe in God's best for us.  But counting your current blessings, as you receive more.

We are far more blessed than we realize, even in a time of trial. 

If you receive a hug a day, you are blessed.

If someone you don’t know gives a smile or kind word your way, you are blessed.

If you know in your heart that beyond a shadow of any doubt someone loves you unconditionally, you are very blessed.

If you can visually see a sunrise or sunset each day, you are blessed.

If you are able to hear the crickets chirp or birds sing, you are blessed. 

I know many are thinking these blessings are so cliche.  They’re not enough.  We need food and shelter and all the other necessities of life -- God's absolute best for us.  And you’re right; we do. 

But please, please don’t take the “little things” of a hug or smile or sunrise or another person for granted.  You've missed out on a great deal if you do.

Psalm 121 “I lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip – He Who watches over you will not slumber; indeed He Who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord watches over you – The Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; and the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” 

Your sister in Him,

Robin

Need a lift? from "His Kindness Year Round"

Love lifted me!

Many may remember the refrain from the hymn:

“Love lifted me,

love lifted me,

when nothing else could help,

love lifted me.“

These particular lines don’t escape my mind, as I sing them over and over.  

Romans 5:5 "God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love."

I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t want to be loved.  A real, genuine, not superficial love.  We need love, as God created us to love and be loved.  

John 13:34-35 "Now I am giving you a new commandment:  love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

I'm very grateful for my brothers and sisters in Christ, with whom we share love! 

Ephesians 2:19 "You are members of God's family."

James 1:18 "In His goodness He chose to make us His own children."

Love lifted me!

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin 

Listening to Silence from "His Kindness Year Round"

Silence.

Some people are uncomfortable even thinking about it. They savor the need for continuous activity or always being surrounded by people.   I bring this up because an acquaintance who fits this description mentioned recently that she never hears from God. 

I asked her about her quiet time, her alone time with Him -- just with the Father.  She replied that she has none, as she's usually watching TV or multitasking during her “God time”. 

Our busy lives require a great deal of interaction and cause noise.  Most of the time, even in a room alone, we turn on the television or listen to music or hear the tap, tap, tap as our fingers hit the computer keyboard.  

Being alone is a necessary part of life.  Silent solitude can be beneficial for our physical and mental well being.  But more importantly, silent solitude is necessary for our spiritual relationship with the Lord.  

Jeremiah 29:12 "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you."

Praying to our Father and hearing His words through the Holy Spirit can occur anytime, even during the busy and noisy times of life. However, we need to give the Most High our complete attention, without distractions or other chatter.  It’s often in those still, quiet times we hear from Him.

Matthew 6:6-7 "When you pray, go into a room by yourself.  After you have shut the door, pray to your Father Who is in secret.  Then your Father Who sees in secret will reward you.  When you pray, do not say the same thing over and over again making long prayers like the people who do not know God.  They think they are heard because their prayers are long."

When you haven't heard from Heavenly Father, have you asked yourself when He last heard from you? 

Psalm 116:2 "Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!"

Have you asked yourself if you have been quiet and still enough to listen?

Hebrews 2:1 "We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it."

Communication is vital to a relationship.  Expand your relationship with God by staying in touch with him, and listening for His voice.  

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin 

The No Bully Zone from "His Kindness Year Round"

The concept of bullying has probably been around since the beginning of creation.  You can find many sibling rivalries in the Bible and numerous instances of aggravating and annoying and provoking (including murdering) others.

In today’s society, the topic of bullying is, unfortunately, very common.  I am relieved to know the subject is being brought forth publicly, rather than having innocent sufferers deal with the issues alone.  We usually associate bullying with kids or teenagers or young adults.  But bullying does not discriminate with age.  Bullies range from small tots to the elderly.  Yep, bullies can be older, more ‘mature’ adults also.  Think about that; you may realize you even know a few of them. 

And the worst bully of all is satan.  He, by far, tops the list of the most evil. 

But our God is wonderful!  He does so much for us.  We can’t even imagine the magnitude of all His goodness and mercy and grace!  God leads us.  He reassures and encourages us.  He sends the Holy Spirit to comfort us and calm us in rough waters.  His love is beyond what any human love ever could be!  He has a remarkable plan for each one of us!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:5 “God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.”

The bully.  He wants to rush us and create chaos.  He intends to frighten, worry and cause anxiety.  His desire is to confuse and discourage.  He enjoys pushing us around, condemning and belittling us.  He wants us to live with guilt.  The devil’s goal is to make us feel (our soulish part -- mind, will and emotions) all the things that Christ died on the cross so we would not have to experience.  He delights in trying to steal our peace and joy.  He is the ultimate annoyer, nuisance and bully. 

But ya know what?  We have authority over him!

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil.”

James 4:7 “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

1 Peter 5:8 “Be careful!  Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy.”

Be aware, and stand firm against the bully.

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin