A Root Out Of The Ground

Many times I wonder, why things just stop me as I walk? Why do they move me to take a picture? Why, when it seems there’s no reason, no purpose, no clue, yet the sight hollers at my heart?

I’ve learned to take the picture anyway. The reason, the purpose, the meaning will come. And when one of these or all three flow to me, I will then ask the Lord to guide me to the picture to express what is bubbling within me.

At other times it’s the picture which jumps from the collection of photos and it moves me to write a phrase or two.

There’s something beyond my understanding that tugs at my spirit and connects me with the picture then words begin to flow from somewhere in my soul.

Even though I know this, I still wondered why the root of this tree stood out to me. It seemed like a toenail of giant beast. What’s so appealing about it? Why was I moved to take a picture? Who, if anyone, would find it pleasing to look at?

I ask God why did He lead me to take this picture? What’s the message that I need to hear? What do I need to write regarding this idea of an exposed root? Is there a verse to point me to a truth?

God never fails. He never fails to lead me to an answer. Never!

Isaiah 53:2

“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of the ground.”

What I read left me in awe. I knew whom the verse described. I knew who the words were about. It was my Lord. My Savior. I love how God answers.

So I read the rest of verse.

“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”

I was blown away by what I read. Because that’s how I felt regarding the picture of the root when I took it. I honestly didn’t find it attractive at all. I told the Lord. I see no reason or beauty or uniqueness that makes this root stand out. But I will obey. I quickly took the picture and walk away.

Something tickled my interest after I took several steps away from the root. I turned around and took the picture of the mossy roots which led to the tree. I did find the roots intriguing. I knew something interesting will come from that photo.

Wanting to understand where the Lord was leading me with this post, I went and read more of Isaiah 53.

Verse 3

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

God in a manner of speaking, unearth his Son slowly to man’s heart. In time, he revealed his heart to those who needed compassion, answers, meaning and guidance. He sent his Son as a lowly person not as a high branch from a towering tree.

Jesus came to us with a humility of understanding rejection, sorrow, loneliness. People stumbled of who He really was, for they were expecting a king. Jesus began to build his roots in peoples hearts with the lowly and grew into other hearts

He became the tree of life pointing to the one and only true God, His Heavenly Father, our Heavenly Father.

Just like these exposed roots reveal their source, the giant evergreen tree, so did Jesus Christ reveal the source of whom sent Him.

Jesus came with a great message that brought physical, emotional and spiritual healing. And He still has that power today through His Holy Spirit.

Like an evergreen tree, Christ will forever be with us. Therefore, let’s not reject, despite or deny Him today. Together in heart, in worship, in sharing let’s esteem him every day of our life.

From an unattractive root on my walk, I am reminded that God never waist a thing. All things have a purpose. They’re there to point to a greater truth. Let’s be the source for others and point them to the truth of a forgiving Love.

I will continue to listen and obey to what moves me and stops me to take pictures. For I know a purpose from a Higher Power has a reason for its existence.

They’re there to point all of us to the source of our existence, the existence of God.

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Teach Me God

“Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God;

may your good Spirit

lead me

on level ground.”

Psalms 143:10

Teach me God

For I never tire

Of hearing

Your voice

Your lessons

Your advice

Tell me

Once again

Remind me

To do your will

And to release

My fisted hands

You alone

Are my God

The rock

Of my life

Where I

Find refuge

I ask for

Your favor

Your goodness

Your protection

Over my life

And my spirit

Please allow

Your Holy Spirit

To lead me

On level ground

Where You’ve

Anointed Already

ss

TEACH ME GOD

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalms 143:10

Teach me God

For I never tire

Of hearing

Your voice

Your lessons

Your advice

Tell me

Once again

Remind me

To do your will

And to release

My fisted hands

You alone

Are my God

The rock

Of my life

Where I

Find refuge

I ask for

Your favor

Your goodness

Your protection

Over my life

And my spirit

Please allow

Your Holy Spirit

To lead me

On level ground

Where You’ve

© 2022 Lidia Hu

Emboldened by The Lord

EMBOLDENED BY THE LORD

“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
3 When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.”
Psalm 138:1-3

Embolden – to give someone courage or confidence to behave a certain way

My sweet Lord
I’ll praise you
All day long
With all my heart
For all you’ve done
Before man
Or any god

My loving Lord
I’ll sing of
Your praises
From the depths
Of my soul
Before man
Or any god

My forever Lord
I’ll bow down
With all my being
Praising your name
Before your throne
Before man
Or any god

After I praise you
After I sing of you
After I bow down
I then will dance
Out of gratitude
And love
Before man
Or any God

Your unfailing love
Your faithfulness 
Your forgiveness 
Your healing
Your comfort
Your mercy
Your grace
Are forever

You are
Exalted
Dignified
Sanctified
You’ve 
Surpassed
Your fame

With all your
Glorious deity
You lower
Your heart
To me and
When I call
You always
Answer me

You my Lord
My loving Lord
You and 
No man
Or any god
You alone
Lavishly
Embolden
My heart

Lord, I will 
praise you 
With all 
My heart, 
My soul, 
My being, 
All the days 
I shall live

Revealed Glory Through Pain

Prince William Sound, Whittier, Alaska

REVEALED GLORY THROUGH PAIN

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18 

An insert from BibLe Hub

“Jesus told us that He came so that His disciples may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10), but He also told us that in this world we will have tribulations (John 16:33) and persecutions (Matthew 5:10-11).

Paul experienced the extremes of Jesus’ words.

On the one hand, he had a life more abundant than most. He was full of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit and he had a powerful ministry all over the known world.

But he also suffered many trials, troubles, tribulations, and persecutions. He knew the heights of the Christian experience in this dispensation and he knew the depths as well.

And when he sums it all up, as he does in our verse for today, he says that all the tribulations and persecutions are not worth comparing with the abundance of life that is still to come.”

My two cents worth:
In struggles, sufferings, pains come moments of unexplable hope which are slivers of glory. Those moments sparkle of what is yet to come, lighting-up the path which overcomes the present darkness of the tormoil.

May you see those landers of glorious hope on your way to the glory which God has and will revealed to you on that day.

God bless his Word and his people.

Childlike Finds Heavenly Treasures

CHILDLIKE FINDS HEAVENLY TREASURES

At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.”

— Matthew 11:25 NLT

Insight

As a child we eager to grow up.
As a teen we eager for independence
As a young adult we eager for retirement.
As a mature adult we eager to be young again.

When reason blooms understanding, at all stages of life we should strive to be childlike in our eagerness to become something we are not. It is then when we can seek heavenly treasure and actually find it.

Joy among tears.
Peace among caos.
Love among dissapointments.
Forgiveness among unrepentance.

Lord, help us to be childlike with our faith in you. Hold our hand and lead us to the treasure you have for us. Thank you that we don’t have to be wise or clever to understand your ways.

Bless your Word and your people. In Jesus name I ask.

Work Prepared In Advanced

WORK PREPARED IN ADVANCED~ Living His Word

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Have you ever gone to bed thinking of all the things you have to a accomplish tomorrow?

Of course, we all have.

But have you gone to bed wondering what work God prepared for you to do tomorrow?

Well, that part of the verse was a target hit on my heart.

Almost daily I wake up asking God to guide my steps, thoughts and words for I know in my head where I must be, with whom I will be and what I’m going to be doing. I planned these things in advanced.

Hmmm.

Now I’m thinking. I should be prepare to do my list as well as God’s.

Questions:
Can we know the work He has for us? Yes.
It will be present to us. God’s good works will be done along side our work. There are times we must put a side our work to do God’s. Also, the Holy Spirit will tell us in advance and help us to be ready.

Will we listen to the Holy Spirit small voice?
If yes, can we work along God’s plan and ours? Or can we postpone ours to do list for God’s good works?

Lord, may we not miss the good work you have prepared for us today. May we be listening to your Holy Spirit and be willing to do the prepared godly tasks you have for us.

God, bless your Word and your people. Amen.Work

Look Up

LOOK UP.

Allow the beauty of the day to lift your mind above the darkness of the night.

Reflect on the goodness of past days for it will shed pounds from a weight down heart.

Give an encouraging, loving hug to someone, help them to keep looking up.

Psalms 5 NIV
1 Listen to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
5 The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.
8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make your way straight before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they tell lies.
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Standing Firm

STANDING FIRM ~ means to recall the truth and anchoring my soul to the freedom I have in Christ, my Lord.

When the wind of setbacks comes, bringing the yoke of slavery, I’ll stand firm on God’s promises.

Then, in Christ, past burdens of insecurities and doubts will be blown, right passed my heart and mind.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
– Galatians 5:1 NIVSta

When The Impossible Is Before You

WHEN THE IMPOSSIBLE IS BEFORE YOU ~ Wait for the Lord.

Then:
1. See where God takes you
2. See what God shows you
3. See what God instructs you to speak

“Son of man, can these bones live?”

“O Lord GOD,” I replied, “only You know.”

And He said to me, “Prophesy concerning these bones and tell them: ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!

This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live.

I will attach tendons to you and make flesh grow upon you and cover you with skin. I will put breath within you so that you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

So I prophesied as I had been commanded.”

Ezekiel 37:2-7

Take time to read the rest of the story to find out what happens when we obey God’s commands.

Giving Up or Letting Go?

GIVING UP OR LETTING GO?

Woke up with the phrase, “thoughts can kill you or heal you,” and it wouldn’t leave me alone.

Seeking undestanding, I ask the Lord, “is this a theme for a story or something else?”

As I spent my quiet time, the phrase return and it brought another idea along. Not finding the proper words to put on this feeling, I looked for a photo to help me identify what the Holy Spirit was telling me.

When I saw the leaf, a question formed, “Is the leaf giving up or letting go?”

Knowing how God works and moves me or should I say pushes me to act upon what He sees in me, I knew a reminder was being handed for my mind.

Will I be giving up what has been done in me? Or letting go and accept the change which is in hand?

Many times, I fight thoughts which push me to give up and let the dream die.

It’s a real, true struggle within me!!!

One which produces melancholy even after workouts, walks and being out in nature for hours. Usually God wakes my spirit and soon I get myself moving by doing my duties of laundry and cleaning or paying bills.

My self talk goes something like this, “Lidia, you’re a grown woman, just keep taking steps. How else can you be a witness of what you’ve said you are in Christ?”

Why am telling you this? Because I’m not alone fighting a battle which we’ve been told it’s won. Yet, no relief has come. It diverted and missed us. Well, it feels like it has for what ever reason.

Instead of standing strong against the enemy. I do as he wants, be in the front battle zone fighting for my right to be who God said I am.

For many of us, the war exist in our head more than in our heart.

We struggle with thoughts which are killing us, inside out. Once our will is done with, we have no reason to exist. Meditate on God words, are daily pills, but our thoughts of redemption and healing remain dried up. (Rom. 12:2)

Then the dagger hits home, Hope is for others, not for me.

I shared my reoccurring waking thought with a friend over coffee this morning. I mention that I wasn’t sure if it was for a story. She suggested to write a story about twins, one with the name Ican’t and the other Ican.

After she left, I had my quiet time. It was them when I saw these twins, joined by one heart, in me.

Who will win?

The one who will remain standing strong and walk in the newness of who she has become.

Is it easy? Nope. I will confront that solid steep mountian God told me about.

It will seem unclimbable before me, but with the Lord’s help, I will get to the other side which is labeled, “accomplishement.”

Not sure what you’re struggling and doing battle with today, but be assured you are not alone even though it’s a lonesome road.

Today will you chose with me to dwell and meditate on the Victory which the Lord conquered for us through His resurrection?

Let’s encourage each other today as we stand with the banner of victory on our spear then walk in faith on what has already been done and accomplished in us. (Heb. 3:13)

You maybe on a different road, but we’re facing the same enemy. Let’s keep in mind the enemy is not only finished but CONQUERED! (John 19:30)