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

Sharing Life from “His Kindness Year Round” . . .

As we end the month of May, the last month of spring, I want to share a story I wrote over six years ago, in June of 2006.  As I recall, I’m the only person who has read this story.  It’s an especially personal story I entitled at the time, “Lee’s Bible”.

“My husband, Lee, had not been feeling well for a couple of months.  We had a strong relationship with each other and with God, Who pulled us through all the valleys in our lives.  I would tell myself and Lee that we are part of His plan, continuously being “works in progress”. 

I had been searching for Lee a Bible.  He had a nice hard leather bound one I had given him earlier, but I wanted to buy him a Study Bible.  My desire was to give him the Bible for Christmas, 2005, or for his birthday, in January, 2006.  Whenever I had the opportunity, I browsed the internet or local stores for a Bible I felt would be suitable for him. 

(At the time) A local contemporary Christian radio station gave away a Bible every Friday.  Listeners could register online once a day, every day.  I told Lee I was going to win him a Bible, but with life being very busy, I never registered.

On December 23, 2005, two days before Christmas, at 10:52 AM, my husband, best friend, and love of my life, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 45.  I have wonderful memories and carry him in my heart, but the chapter of Lee in my life on earth is over.  We had a very special relationship, and thanked God each day for bringing us together.  We valued and appreciated each other.  Although we didn’t know he was going to pass away, a couple of weeks prior to his death he told me that God would take care of me after he was gone.  I don’t know if Lee had the impression he wasn’t going to live.  He didn’t elaborate and I didn’t ask questions either, since I wasn’t expecting illness to soon take his life.

In early May of this year (2006), I was on the internet one Thursday evening and logged onto the contemporary Christian radio station website.  I decided to register for the Study Bible they were giving away the next day.  On Saturday, two days after I entered the drawing, I received a very special hardbound Study Bible from the radio station!  I’d only entered the contest once and won.  Coincidence?  No way!  It was Lee’s Bible which I really HAD won for him. 

This new chapter in my life has been a difficult one for me.  I didn’t ask for it and I didn’t want it.  There is a plan in life for everyone.  Lee’s life on earth is over, yet mine is not.  I miss his daily hugs and holding his hand.  I miss hearing him tell me he loves me.  I miss hearing him call my name.  I miss our dates and the tremendous quality time we spent together.  But I have his Bible, the one I won for him, just as I had promised.  And just as he promised, God is taking care of me now that he’s gone.  I always know Heavenly Father is with me and always will be.  Just as Lee is in my heart, and will be with me also.”

What a tremendous spiritual journey I have been on since this experience, and since writing this story six years ago.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, life is precious.  Please don’t take life, or those in it, for granted.  God breathed precious life into you.  Treasure it.  Take care of it.  Live the life He wants you to live. Our time on earth is very temporary, while our time in eternity is forever. 

2 Corinthians 1:3 “All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the source of every mercy and the God Who comforts us.”

Matthew 28:20 “Be sure of this:  I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Praise and thanksgiving from "His Kindness Year Round"!

Happy Friday brothers and sisters!

I trust you are holding on to the hand of the Most High today.

One matter of my heart the past few weeks (months) has been a healthy balance in life; balance of serving the Almighty through work and home and family and friends and all the other situations and circumstances that complete a day.  I’m reminded repeatedly that God is not a God of chaos.  God wants to direct and plan my days, rather than following “my plan” for each day.  Although I truly strive for a life of healthy balance, I sometimes continue to make choices otherwise.  (Notice, I realize it’s my choice.)  The Lord knows my heart.  He knows I am a work in progress in following His healthy balance. (I’m very grateful for His patience!)  Father, thank You for Your love and for directing my days and my ways for the balance you desire in my life!

Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.”

I want to shout praise to our Heavenly Father as I’ve recently witnessed the spiritual and personal growth of someone close to me. It has been a true marvel watching this person grow in his relationship with The Father through his faith in God’s direction; hard work and perseverance in his obedience to Him; and the trust to go through the open door’s God has made available, rather than worry and fret about every situation along the way.  What a splendid sight to witness the past couple of weeks:  a precious view of one actually experiencing the happiness and peace and joy and confidence our God gave him decades ago, which he now experiences because he chooses to trust and obey Him. 

This dear one is a work in progress.  He is taking baby steps on the pathway to healthy balance.  My prayer is of thanksgiving for this recent act of his faith and for his continuation to give the wheel to God and let Him drive.   

Ephesians 4:23-24 “Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.  You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness – righteous, holy, and true.”

Thank You, God, for your freeing liberation from this world!  (“Take this world and give me Jesus!” – read May 7^th.)  God continues, as He always will, to be THE reigning King!

Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

I've missed you . . . from "His Kindness Year Round"!

Hello wonderful children of God!  The Almighty continues to send firecracker blessings!

I’ve missed talking to you, but I have been reading a book about faith.  There are many points I hope to write in the future, but at the present, it seems what God is explaining is for my direction.  If and when He instructs me to share with you, I’m ready!

I was taking note of a song this morning.  Most people know I truly enjoy listening to Christian music.  I have heard this song many times before.  The lyrics have special meaning to me today, reminding me to take my focus off any circumstances in life and focus on Him.  Always, focus on our Father.

Everlasting God

“Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
Wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
Wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.

Our God, You reign forever.
Our hope, our strong Deliverer.

You are the everlasting God,
The everlasting God.
You do not faint,
You won't grow weary.
You're the defender of the weak,
You comfort those in need,
You lift us up on wings like eagles.”

The song is based on Isaiah 40:28–31.  At the conclusion of the song, the voice of a child recites:

“The Lord is the everlasting God,
The creator of all the Earth,
He never grows weak or weary,
No one can measure the depths of His understanding,
He gives power to the weak, and strength to the powerless,
Even youth will become weak and tired,
And young men will fall in exhaustion,
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength,
They will soar high on wings like eagles,
They will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not faint.”

I praise You, Dear Lord and Savior, for being our Everlasting God!

Please, have faith in Him.  We are helpless without Him.  Be an eagle!

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

Take this world and give me JESUS from "His Kindness Year Round"!

Welcome to Monday!

I love to listen to Christian music! 

I have heard this particular song twice on the radio in less than 24 hours.  We know there is no such thing as coincidence.  With that being said, I want to share the words to a song by Building 429, entitled “Where I Belong”.

“Sometimes it feels like I'm watching from the outside.
Sometimes it feels like I'm breathing but am I alive.
I will keep searching for answers that aren't here to find.

All I know is I'm not home yet.
This is not where I belong.
Take this world and give me Jesus.
This is not where I belong.

So when the walls come falling down on me.
And when I'm lost in the current of a raging sea.
I have this blessed assurance holding me.

All I know is I'm not home yet.
This is not where I belong.
Take this world and give me Jesus.
This is not where I belong.

When the earth shakes I wanna be found in You.
When the lights fade I wanna be found in You.

All I know is I'm not home yet.
This is not where I belong.
Take this world and give me Jesus.
This is not where I belong.”

YES, LORD!  This is not where I belong!  Give me Jesus!

Hebrews 11:16 “But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland.  That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin