If You Ever Find My Phone

IF YOU EVER FIND MY PHONE

If you ever find my phone, you will see all the pictures I’ve taken in the past few months.

They will show the beauty, the detail, the moment, the color, the morning, the evening, the sky, the sea, the tree, the leaf, the moose, the bear, the rabbit, the flower, the people with me, all the life around me.

But, it will never show my storms, my waves, my turmoil, my pain, my tears, my sadness, my sleepless nights, those are not the things I chose to focus on.

Yet, those experiences are what move me to take the picture of what is right before me as I hold on for dear life to the purpose of living with hope, by faith and in love.

My life is a well of emotions which helps me to pull from to write, to share, to connect with others and those whom I may not physically touch, yet understand by our similar thoughts, emotions and unspoken circumstances.

We all have wild waves to survive. Maybe even ride out in this very moment. If we do ride our waves out, survive their overwhelming power, they will push us to solid ground.

Then, we can give an encouraging word to the ones still out at sea. Give a hand to the ones that got washed from the sea. Help others walk on the solid ground we are now walking on.

Let’s be compassionate to those around us who are drowning, tumbling, and sinking.

May they sense the hope we have in God; see our faith in our Savior and Lord, Jesus in us; and feel the love of God for humanity through us.

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With Open Minds and Hurting Hearts

WITH OPEN MINDS AND HURTING HEARTS

One can see God’s truth inspite of sickness and death sweeping love ones from our grasp.

“I pray that God will open your minds to see his truth. Then you will know the hope that he has chosen us to have.

You will know that the blessings God has promised his holy people are rich and glorious.

And you will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe.”
(Ephesians 1:18-19 ERV)
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His power can comfort without human understanding.

His power can heal hearts without human involvement.

His power can strengthen without human encouragement.

Know the hope, God chose for us to have.
Know the blessing, God gives to us freely.
Know the great power, God uses for us as believers.

Even when one is not healed and the Angel of the Lord comes to take love ones from this world, we can know the hope, the promises the power of God are all available for each one of us, his holy people.

 

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.

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)

Like A Reflection

 

LIKE A REFLECTION ~ Let’s keep this verse stuck on the mirror of our souls.

“. . . being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6 NKJV

When we feel like:
failures,
weaklings,
worthless,
undeserving,
unworthy
of God’s goodness
we can recall where to find the confidence to put on the righteousness which God provided.

Don’t forget, ignore or overlook what has been bought for you, your soul’s freedom. It came with a high price and given as a free gift to anyone who professes Jesus as Lord.

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Rom. 10:9-10

Don’t leave your beautiful, spiritual, royal outfit laying on the bed or hung in the closet, unworn.

Today, is the day to change your soul’s cloths, for we are sons and daughters of a High King.

While you workout your salvation, keep quoting Philippians 1:6.

Jesus has risen! For you! For me! For all!

Let’s not place Him back in the grave in thought or in heart.

We don’t have to wait for Easter to proclaim and walk in truth.

Think and say, “HE HAS RISEN! And I will be made complete!”

What’s New Under The Sun

WHAT’S NEW UNDER THE SUN? ~ Technology causes change which brings something new to our attention.

So why did Solomon said there’s no new thing under the sun? When obviously there is in our time?

What was Solomon talking about anyway to have come to this result?

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.

— Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV

When it comes to things of the heart, there’s nothing new. When it comes to living life their is nothing new. When it comes to perceiving there is nothing new. When it comes to emotions there is nothing new. When it comes to death their is nothing new. When it comes to humanity, there is nothing new.

As the world changes what is valuable for mankind shouldn’t change, unless the heart becomes deceived. Once it does; life will no longer be valuable; knowledge becomes futile; feelings are not worth validation; death is seen as emptiness and mankind becomes insignificant.

Keep a check on your heart for more than blood pumps forth to your mind, eyes, ears and mouth.

In order to see the value of fearing God, one must understand the fear Solomon wrote about. This fear is not the kind which causes your knees to rattle. It’s the one which moves the heart to kneel down before a king.

This fear is out of reverance for the heart of our Lord. He treasures us, our hearts, our life. Let’s not forget His death, his love for us.

Ask yourself, to whom do I give this type of fear? To who or what am I bending my knee? Whose commandments have we given our heart and life to follow?

Whose footsteps are you following? Who are you leaving your footprints to be followed one day?

You matter to God, to your family, and your friends. You matter to me.

May you follow Jesus all the days you breath. Once you leave this world, rejoice with Him.

God bless each of you.

Clinging Faith

Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

— 1 Timothy 1:19 NLT

Insight
How can you hold on to a good conscience? Treasure your faith in Christ more than anything else and do what you know is right. Each time you deliberately ignore your conscience, you are hardening your heart. Over a period of time your capacity to tell right from wrong will diminish.
Challenge

As you walk with God, he will speak to you through your conscience, letting you know the difference between right and wrong. Be sure to act on those inner tugs so that you do what is right—then your conscience will remain clear.

© 2010 by Tyndale House Publishers
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Lord, when hard news come our way, it rocks our clinging faith in you. Humanely we began with the question which begin with the word why. Then we become angry, upset or disappointed and we react from those emotions.

Helps us Lord, to give ourself time for you to come and tend to our state of confusion and hurt. We may be in need of a spiritual time out, then we will not react from our fear or anger and violate our consciousness and sin.

Lord help us to keep a clean conscience during this time of the year when family draws near with one another. May we not shipwreck our faith.

Help us yo start our day with you and remain with you. Then any shaking which may come will not remove or shipwreck our clinging faith in you. In Jesus name I ask. Amen.

Thank you lord for gifting me with photography and writing. May they bring you glory and praise all the days of my life.

When Mountains Fall Into The Sea

HAVE YOU FOUND YOURSELF HERE?

I HAVE.

An insert from my morning devotional.

Living His Word

“Where do you go when it seems like the very earth has given way? When it seems like a landslide has carried the very mountains into the heart of the sea? That which seemed stable, and even eternal, breaks apart and crumbles to pieces. You begin to question your talents and abilities. You even begin to question the call of God on your life. Maybe you got it wrong. Maybe it was all a big mistake. After all, if God were in it, He wouldn’t have allowed all this to happen, would He?

Then it gets worse. It seems like the sea can’t stop churning and convulsing. It seems like one chain of mountains wasn’t enough for it and it wants to swallow even more of them. The one thing you needed was taken away and now everything else is being threatened. Real fear begins to rise up in your soul. Anxiety like you’ve never had before gets a grip on you. You try to keep it under control, but this is beyond anything you have ever experienced. It’s the challenge of your life.”

During these times of your life did the verse below ever come to mind?

“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Psalms 4:1-3

I pray these verses will come to mind and you believe the truth, God is a refuge, is strength and does help when the mountains have fallen to the heart of the sea.

Lord, show up, reveal yourself in a way that your peace and assurance baths not only the soul and mind, but the spirit of anyone who find themselves in roaring, foaming troubled waters. In Jesus name I pray, for your word never returns void.

 

Nothing Is Insignificant

Nothing of us is insignificant, nothing!

You matter.

You beautify.

You, yes, you.

You are valuable.