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

Care to spare a bit of kindness, anyone? from "His Kindness Year Round"

I was riding past a parking lot and saw a gentleman walking from his car to a building. He held his head high as he walked and entered the door.  Before going into the facility, he passed a group of teenagers standing very close by. He never glanced their way and appeared not to speak.  I find this very interesting, as the building was a church and the man, the minister.

How well do we rate on the scale of friendliness, especially and including those we don't know? Ever offer a simple smile or hello or brief conversation or compliment to those you come across in the grocery store or mall or a restaurant?  Do you ever go out of your way to let a server or manager or business employee know of exceptional service or appreciation?  Or taken a step further, do you take an occasional opportunity to do a kind deed for those you don't know – or those you do know, and go the extra step to show gratitude or an extension of kindness to brighten a person's day?  Do you know how to say "Please" and "Thank You"?  Are you a giver or receiver only? As in a recent conversation with a sister, you never know when a smile or simple gesture can make some one's day. 

James 2:19-20 “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.  Good for you!  Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.  How foolish!  Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?”

And one step further, do you ever look down upon people who may not look like you or dress like you or speak like you or act like you?

Ever recall references to Jesus sticking His head in the air to those lesser than He, the Messiah? (It doesn't take long to think on that question.) 

James 2:1-4 “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?  For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poorly and dressed in dirty clothes.  If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor” – well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?”

A brother in Christ shared his personal devotion with me several weeks ago about the abundant references of God's kindness and love and deeds to the not-so-popular, common man.  

We don't compare with His kindness or love, but do you consider yours adequate or lacking? The third annual "Be Extra Kind to Someone Day” (stay tuned!) will be arriving after Christmas. In the meantime, and I don't simply mean during the upcoming holidays, see how randomly kind you can be.  We all need to be blessed, and to also give blessings to others.  

Your sister in Him,

Robin

He is my Solid Rock from "His Kindness Year Round"

Sometimes when we exercise, we need encouragement to be successful.  As I’m exercising my faith, instructed by the Holy Spirit, I’m paying attention to God’s hand of guidance. We can hear God’s voice speak through the Holy Spirit.  We can go to His Word, the writings or teachings of others or songs which abide by His Word. 

Although I listen to a great deal of contemporary Christian music, this old hymn has been speaking, as I hum throughout the day . . . . .

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Psalm 18:30-32 "God's way is perfect.  All the Lord's promises prove true.  He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.  For Who is God except the Lord?  Who but our God is a solid rock?  God arms me with strength, and He makes my way perfect."

Luke 6:47-49 "I will show you what it's like when someone comes to Me, listens to My teaching, and then follows it.  It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock.  When the flood waters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.  But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation.  When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins." 

Stand firm on The Solid Rock!

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin

All; everything; the whole; the entirety! from "His Kindness Year Round"

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

I cannot count the number of times this verse has popped in front of me the past few weeks, including in a Christian novel. We all know there is no such thing as coincidence.  Obviously, it’s from the Father.

“And we know that God causes . . . . “.  Hallelujah!  God causes.  He causes greatness for those who abide in His will with obedience and who desire a relationship with Him.  Our Lord doesn’t cause suffering or illness or tragedies in our lives.  God sent His one and only Son to die to save, heal, deliver, and wholly restore us.  So God causes . . . . .

“. . . . . .everything to work together for the good . . . . “.  “Good”, also defined as superior, fine, excellent, worthy, enjoyable, pleasant. In other words – for your benefit and not against your well being.  Goodness is planned for you.  Are we going to have trials?  You betcha.  We’re still on earth.  We’re still human.  Satan still exists.  Didn’t Jesus have trials?  But the Lord God Almighty will always be with us during every trial.  And God will cause everything to work together for the good . . .

“ . . . . of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” 

Do you love Him?  Do you show Him your love by the life you lead?  Are you abiding in His plan and not your own?

Life’s daily trials may feel very difficult and fatiguing.  Satan will try to ensure that.  But God does cause everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them.  And we know what God says, God does.  He is Truth. 

Exercise your faith.  Believe so you can receive.  It’s the Father’s plan for you.  Be a part of that plan.

As I’m closing this post, I see a card by my computer showing Ecclesiastes 3:11a “Yet God has made everything beautiful for it’s own time.” See and be God’s beauty today and accept the blessings and goodness He has for you, according to His plan. 

Prayerfully, your sister in Him,

Robin