Oaks of Righteousness

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
Isaiah 61:1-4





http://www.wallpapers-free.org/42/-/America_-_oak_tree_in_new_england_sunrise/

  Jesus made us oaks of righteousness! Obedience is a fruit of righteousness....not the way to righteousness. We don't have to figure it out...just receive it! I am a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor...now I know why I am so tall...lol...I am a tree:)  More posts to come on this

What's in a name?

The lessons you learn from kids...

Zaleigh named her first 'special' doll Zea when she was almost 2.  This week, we tried to get Aleigha (who is now 2!) to give one of her special dolls a name.  She was very adamant that the baby's name was "MY baby" or  simply "MINE'.  In her eyes, the baby needs no special name, but it is important that others know it's her baby. 

I know that God says the same about us...that's "MY baby", My daughter, My son... He has adopted us and chosen us as 'special' to be adopted as his children through belief in Jesus.

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:1-2

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—  to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6


But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Praise you Father!!!! Thank you for choosing me and calling me out of darkness into your marvelous light!  Let me declare praises to you forever!  Thank you that you see me as holy and blameless because of the sacrifice Jesus made for me.  Thank you that even when I feel alone or rejected in this world, I know I am yours!  In Jesus' precious name, Amen

Opinions

How is it possible for you to believe [how can you learn to believe], you who [are content to seek and] receive praise and honor and glory from one another, and yet do not seek the praise and honor and glory which come from Him Who alone is God?  John 5:44 (Amplified Bible)

Wow, that really got me!  If I value other people's opinions of me more than God's I will never truly believe and trust him. If I am always people pleasing, then I won't make time to seek Him and find His will for me.  Here is the same verse in a few more ways...see if one of these gets you. 

How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God John 5:44 NIV

John 5:41-44 (The Message)

"I'm not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God's love, is not on your working agenda. I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms. How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?

Dear Lord, help us to seek praise only from you.  Let us give our lives to bring you praise and honor and glory, even when it's uncomfortable to our flesh.  Your word says "blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,  who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods (Psalm 40:4) I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart (Psalm 40:8)

Desire versus Time

I desire to share what God is doing in my life in hopes that it may encourage just one person. I have struggled to find the time to blog and determine if it's really something I should do, if it has eternal significance. I believe it will be significant, that if God has given me the desire He will make it successful. I believe that as I trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways acknowledge him, and he will make my paths straight (Proverb3:5-6).
This morning after reading several blogs, I have been encouraged...so if God can use someone's blog to bring me encouragement-He will be able to use mine to encourage someone else!! A post from 'she will sing there' blog, Compelled by Love really captures how I feel about blogging.  Another one I read this morning from the 'passionate homemaking' blog What Kind of Shoes Do You Wear? encouraged me that blogging does use the gifts He has given me.  This is the confirmation I have been seeking as I've felt led to update my blog and spend some time writing the things He is teaching me.  So...in the next while, I will continue to 're-do' the blog and attempt to put some of the things in my mind on the screen!  I want to make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5) and follow the Spirit as He guides me into balance in all areas of my life!

Lord, I commit to you whatever I do and believe that my plans will succeed (Prov 16:3) Teach me how to live to please you, because you're my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland (Psalm 143:10) Help me to not just keep my priorities straight, but to continually straighten them out according to your will for my life.  Help me not to be foolish, but to understand what your will is (Ephesians 5:17).  Jesus, I know it is in YOU that I find out who I am and what I'm living for (Ephesians 1:11).  Guide me and my friends, family and readers in finding more of you and your love each day.    Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12) May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17) AMEN!

When You Really Want To Live-Dayspring Devotional

When You Really Want To Live: "Eucharisteo Jesus, the God-man who came to save me from prisons of fear and guilt and depression and sadness. With an expiration of less than 12 hours, what does Jesus count as all most important? 'He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to them.' Luke 22:19 In the original language, 'He gave thanks' reads 'eucharisteo'. The root word is 'charis' meaning 'grace.' Jesus gave thanks, eucharisteo, for the grace, and within 'eucharisteo' is also the derivative, chara --- meaning joy. Deep joy -- chara -- is found only at the table of the euCHARisteo -- the table of thankgsgiving. So then as long as thanksgiving is possible -- Joy is always possible. And how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if not with thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of what He gives. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes to His grace. Charis. Grace. Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy. A threefold cord - that might hold a life?
 -Ann Voskamp Excerpt from the New York Times Best Selling One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to LIVE FULLY Right Where You Are. Through Ann's heart-breakingly beautiful stories, she offers a profoundly powerful guide to finding joy wherever people live. Even in the darkest moments, in the midst of everyday challenges, you can discover an ancient way of living that is deeply, fully alive. Joy really is possible. Right now"