January 22, 2011

Abiding

I was looking back at some journal entries that I had written at the beginning of the 2010 year and I was discouraged to find that I still struggle with the some of the same things.  I thought about how I could not see growth in some areas of my life and wondering why I was still struggling.  Then the Lord revealed to me this Truth: He is the living vine.  Christ is the Vine and I am but the branch, I can do no growing of my own; in fact if the vine that I am connected to is dead then I am dead as well!  I have no hope of growing if I am attached to a deaad vine, it is not possible! God encouraged me with the fact that He is the Living Vine and because I have been grafted into Him, I am a living branch; and what is it that living things do?  They grow!  Praise the Lord; if I am abiding in the living Vine then how can I help but grow in righteousness?!  We should never be discouraged when we can't see growth in our own lives, the growth is so slow that it can be imperceptible to us. We must simply cling to the Truth and know that God's will for us is to become more like His son and because of that we know He will not just allow sin to stay in our lives but will give us victory over it!

January 18, 2011

A Note from a Sister

These are just some thoughts in light of Dick's message this week.

v.4 "The Voice of the Lord is Powerful" ~ I think of this Psalm (below) like one that David is reflecting on God speaking through the storm. Honestly, sometimes thunder scares me because of it's force and power as it breaks through the air, warning all who hear it. Imagine God speaking in such a way that we can hear His voice in each trial or burden. His voice thundering through with wonderful promises from His Word. We wouldn't be scared of our Heavenly Father necessarily, but rather our eyes would be opened more to the Power and Might of our God and we would be left with such an awe that won't allow you to trifle with God. What a mighty God we serve!

Another verse that has stood out to me this week is Isaiah 64:4
"For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear,
Nor has the eye seen a God besides You,
Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him."

God acting on our behalf! Who else has a God who does this! This verse tells us- No One has! A God who speaks and acts and changes every situation- by saving someone, by sparing a loved one's life, by simply granting grace for us to endure a hardship.

Ascribe to the Lord Glory Due His Name today, sisters! He is worthy!

Psalm 29 (New American Standard Bible)

The Voice of the LORD in the Storm.

A Psalm of David.
 1   Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
 2   Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in holy array.
 3   The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
The God of glory thunders,
The LORD is over many waters.
 4   The voice of the LORD is powerful,
The voice of the LORD is majestic.
5   The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6   He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
And Sirion like a young wild ox.
7   The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire.
8   The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9   The voice of the LORD makes the deer to calve
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everything says, "Glory!"
10   The LORD sat as King at the flood;
Yes, the LORD sits as King forever.
11   The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.

January 07, 2011

For Helena

Her  heart belongs to the Great King
           Therefore she can joyfully sing
Even when the enemy brings
           Heavy trials to burden her wings
Little, though she may be, and frail,
           Her God she will forever Hail
Even when heartache comes
           And her song is a little softer

Never will her God forsake her
           For He has vowed to be her comfort.
A day will come when she'll see her King
             in His great home above
                 and there will she ever sing
                       for her one true love.
                                                        AMW 1/7/11