1 | Moore to Ponder

Considering the Source: (Part 1 Conviction or Condemnation?)

April 23, 2010 at 2:50 pm (1, About Sin, Assurance, Devotional Thoughts., Discernment, Faith, Fear, Forgiveness, Grace, Guidance, Holy Spirit, Hope, Judging, Lighter Burdens., Mercy, Our Unchanging God, Peace, refuge, Repentance, Restoration, Righteousness, Salvation, self-esteem, shelter, Sins, Sovereignty of God, Transformation., Trusting, Truth, When you are afraid, When you feel bitter, When You Feel Like Crying., Wisdom, worth)

I have known for awhile what the Bible says about Satan, and what he does. I have known that he is always roaming seeking to devour, that he comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and that he is both a liar and “The Accuser of the Brethren”. But it hadn’t dawned on me that one of the reasons that he accuses so well is because he keeps records of Christians’ sins. One of my friends mentioned this to me , and it makes a lot of sense. It’s like he waves a carrot (something sinful) in our face, and he says “Come on. Come on. Just this once.”, or “Just this last time.” Then as soon as you take him up on it He exclaims, “You did it again! I knew you would! You are pathetic and hopeless! This proves you are not a Christian!” It has always frustrated me that he seemed to know what to tempt me with at any given time. I have in the past confused his condemnation with the conviction that The Holy Spirit does.

Another reason that Satan is good at his job is because he can quote scripture. However, he doesn’t “rightly divide it”, because if he were to do that we would be filled with hope instead of shame. He knows not only all of our sins that we have committed, but he also knows that Christians are “New Creatures” with a “Twofold Nature”. This nature consists of an “Inner Man” or “Spiritual Man” or “The Hidden Man of the Heart”, and an “Outer Man” or “The Flesh”. The “Spiritual Man” cannot sin. It can only follow the Lord. The “Flesh” can do nothing but sin. The two are opposed as described in Romans 7 and 8. Below are some scriptures where these terms are used.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 KJV

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Ephesians 3:16 KJV

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:21-25 KJV

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:4

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6 KJV

I am so thankful that the Lord’s ways are just the opposite. Satan may keep a record of Christians’ sins, but the Lord does not….”If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” Psalm 130:3-4 KJV, “Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” Psalm32:2 KJV… So where eternity is concerned, we may be conscious of sin “in” us(in our members…in our flesh), but when the Lord looks “at” us our sin is not “on” us. They are all…(past, present, and future sins) under His precious blood.

Okay I mentioned above that we can confuse the voice of the Holy Spirit with the voice of Satan. The Holy Spirit has a number of jobs that He does. Two of them are to convict people of sin, and to comfort Christians. He convicts the unsaved of their sin and urges them to call on Jesus and become Christians or “get saved”. He also convicts people who are already Christians when they sin. He shows them their sins and urges them to confess and repent, and reminds them that they are loved by Jesus and that Jesus will be so glad that they called on Him again. Satan shows people their sins and tells people who have not yet been saved that they can’t be saved, and he tells Christians that they need not bother going to the Lord, because He has had it with them. He also tries to tell them that their sins prove that they are not saved and they cannot be saved; that they are without hope. But Satan is a liar.

Please know that no matter what you have done that the Lord is always glad when you return to Him. Do you know what Matthew 24:35 says? It says “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” The Bible is always trustworthy and true. Below are two more passages of scripture that I have come to cherish.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 KJV

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7 KJV

Are you longing for Hope? Are you concerned that it might be too late to find the Lord? Are you worried that your sins are just too awful? Look again. Who does the Lord offer to pardon? Not just sinners, but the wicked. The fact that you are still breathing and have concern in your heart shows that the Lord is calling to you. Call on Jesus. He is listening. He cares. Are you at a loss for words? The song below can help you.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click here:https://pronetoponder.wordpress.com/category/about-salvation-very-important-words/ and make sure.

Do you have a Bible? If you don’t have one, you need not worry. Just click here: www.biblegateway.com They have many versions and translations of the Bible that you can read. Some of the best things in life are free!

Just as I am Without One Plea

1.	Just as I am, without one plea,
	but that thy blood was shed for me,
	and that thou bidst me come to thee,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

2.	Just as I am, and waiting not
	to rid my soul of one dark blot,
	to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

3.	Just as I am, though tossed about
	with many a conflict, many a doubt,
	fightings and fears within, without,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

4.	Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
	sight, riches, healing of the mind,
	yea, all I need in thee to find,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

5.	Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
	wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
	because thy promise I believe,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

6.	Just as I am, thy love unknown
	hath broken every barrier down;
	now, to be thine, yea thine alone,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

15 Comments

Transitions (Part 9…While the Dew is Still on the Roses)

April 20, 2010 at 2:37 pm (1, Assurance, Devotional Thoughts., Guidance, Homeschooling, Life, Lighter Burdens., Our Unchanging God, Patience, Relaxed Homeschooling, Sovereignty of God, Transitions ( Where I am, where I have been...the happenings of my life))

Scripture References;

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. Psalm 139:1-18 NIV

I wrote this yesterday:

“Don’t you just love those mornings when the house is quiet and the coffee turns out just right, and you cuddle up and visit? And then I took a walk around the yard. I love this time of year. The mock orange shrubs are blooming, the hostas are already getting big and had little water droplets from the rain on them, and the rose buds are showing color and will be opening in a day or two…

…The tiger lilies are already 3 feet tall, the honeysuckle has been trimmed so it looks like a a beautiful green cloud at the base of my sweet gum tree. The thing that I am most excited about is the hydrangea shrubs. The blue ones are already making flower heads. They are about the size of quarters: last week they were dime sized. My hubby just poured me a refill of coffee, and the kitchen smells like sausage. Don’t you wish you were here?! :-)”

Then I wrote this a few hours later:

“I took two PC tests today, got a 90% and a 95%; That finished up my computer literacy (It didn’t include WORD and EXCEL; that comes later)! Now I am on a Job Readiness Skills part of the program that takes 10-15 hours to complete. So far it’s been all about…Resume Writing! Isn’t that funny? ( I wrote an entry earlier where I had mentioned that I was working on a resume. It was in a series titled “Transitions”) I still have a way to go. Each time you do a set of skills you get a certificate. I am working toward an Employability Certificate. Then I will work on my Clerical Certificate, and the possibly a Banking Certificate after that.

We have had some new things that have come up that might affect my plans some, though. My husband is planning on going back to college this fall!”

I will have to write more about that later. We really don’t know what the future holds; neither the near or distant future, but the Lord has consistently cared for us so far, and the Bible teaches us that He will continue, that He is faithful. This makes me glad! 🙂

Below is a hymn that is on my mind.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click on “Very Important Words” on the left margin of this page and make sure.

Do you have a Bible? If you don’t have one, you need not worry. Just go to http://www.biblegateway.com. They have many versions and translations of the Bible that you can read. Some of the best things in life are free!

3 Comments

Tangled Chains

April 16, 2010 at 6:34 pm (1, About Sin, Assurance, Devoted To My Daughter, Devoted To My Son, Devotional Thoughts., Family, Forgiveness, Guidance, Lighter Burdens., Love, Our Unchanging God, Parenting, Patience, Relaxed Homeschooling, Sovereignty of God, When You Feel Like Crying., Wisdom)

Scripture References;

Where can I go from your Spirit?Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV

My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish —ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” John 10:27-30 HCSB

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Psalm 130 KJV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1Peter 5:6-7 NIV

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8 KJV

When I was a little girl I used to get little necklaces. I loved to wear them. When not in use I would store them in a small jewelry box. It had a little ballerina attached to a spring inside it and a little key on the outside. When you wound it up you could open the box and the ballerina would pop up and go round and round while music played.

Sometimes I would go to get one and they would be all tangled and in knots. I had tried to store them as carefully as a little girl could, but unsuccessfully. I would then try to untangle them, and after several failed attempts I would finally take the heap to my dad. He never was mad at me because of my inability to untangle them, or for my failure to store them properly. He would sit at the table, get out his tools and slowly, but effectively go to work on them. Eventually, he would hand them back to me “good as new”. Occasionally they would be too tightly tangled (He was only human), but most of the time he was successful.

In life we have so many treasured things. Sometimes we treasure them too much, but that is just the way it is in life. Sometimes like jewelry, we can have both things that we value greatly and long to keep forever, and things that are just to go with something for a season…that will later be discarded. We try to manage them and carefully keep them in order, but sometimes they get all tangled up. If we don’t get them untangled we won’t be able to use any of them. So we go to work with our limited tools and abilities trying to get those “knots” out. Why we do this, I don’t know, because this never works. Then we finally go to our Heavenly Father.

Why is it that we postpone taking our troubles to the Lord, and “really” giving them to Him to sort out? I am sure that there are many reasons, but I can list a few. For one thing, we don’t believe that the Lord will think they are worth fixing. Another reason might be that we think He expects us to be able to fix them ourselves. Then the last reason that comes to my mind is that we are afraid that He will think it is our fault they got that way; which sometimes can be the case but not always. We often are not sure. We might even be afraid that He will be disappointed or angry with us. The last reason is the one that plagues me the most. Fear and shame, have always been two of our greatest enemies.

No matter what our reason may be, it will always be wrong to try to fix our problems ourselves. Our Heavenly Father loves us so deeply. He actually delights in our turning to Him. We might as well… if we have received Him as our Savior, He is always near; in fact we are right smack in the palm of His mighty yet tender hand. He longs for us to bring to Him all of our hurts, fears, cares, and concerns, and our guilt and shame that we have carried in our hearts until they have almost burst, and empty that tangled heap, so he can take it and untangle it. It may take awhile, but the relief our hearts will feel the moment we pour them out will be immediate.

Give it a try. Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Below are two songs that I hope will bless you. One is a song I first heard probably 15 years ago by a group called “First call”. The other is a hymn.

When You Fall (lyrics)

Lately I’ve seen crying in your eyes.
Never known such silence to come over you.
If somehow I can chase that shadow from your face,
I could help you with the fight your going through.

Don’t you know you have every right to use me?
Heaven knows, I pray you won’t refuse me,
When my arms could easily catch you when you fall.

Once I ran a half a million miles…
There was no where I could turn but back to you.
Strong enough to care.
Willing to be there.
Then you were the one to share the pain I knew.

Don’t you know you have every right to use me?
Heaven knows, I pray you won’t refuse me,
When my arms can easily catch you when you fall…

Strong enough to care.
Willing to be there.
I can help you with the fight your going through.

Don’t you know you have every right to use me?
Heaven knows, I pray you won’t refuse me,
When my arms can easily catch you when you fall…

When your heart grows strong enough to fly…

You will know…

I’ll be by your side.

I Must Tell Jesus

I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.
- Refrain:
  I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
  I cannot bear my burdens alone;
  I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
  Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
If I but ask Him He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.
Tempted and tried I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus:
He all my cares and sorrows will share.
What must I do when worldliness calls me?
What must I do when tempted to sin?
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the vict’ry to win.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click on “Very Important Words” on the left margin of this page and make sure.

4 Comments

Peace (Part 1… Like a Little Child)

April 12, 2010 at 1:37 pm (1, Assurance, Devotional Thoughts., Lighter Burdens., Love, Transformation., When You Feel Like Crying.)

Scripture references;

LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother; I am like a little child. Israel, put your hope in the LORD, both now and forever. Psalm131 HCSB

I just love Psalm 131! Sometimes we can go to a quiet place where we can literally be very still and bask in that comfort. Other times we just can’t. We have to get dressed, get in that car and go to places that are busy, that present us with tasks to be done, and so many things that require our attention. But we forget that the Lord goes with His children, and we can close our eyes for a moment and return to that place described in the above Psalm. I so often forget that. I might quickly send up a prayer, but I fail to truly avail myself of that privilege. It is my prayer today that I will remember to go there when I am feeling overwhelmed.

Below are a couple songs that I hope will bless you.

He Whispers Sweet Peace to Me

Sometime when misgivings darken the day
And faith’s light I cannot see
I ask my dear Lord to brighten the way
He whispers sweet peace to me (to me)

Chorus:
He whispers sweet peace to me (yes He whispers to me)
He whispers sweet peace to me (He whispers sweet peace to me)
When I am cast down in spirit and soul
He whispers sweet peace to me (to me)

He speaks through His word, assurance He gives
I’m His and I know He’s mine
And safe in the fold my soul He will keep
I’ll rest in His love divine (divine)

I Will Rest in You

I Will Rest In You (lyrics)
Lord, I’m in the dark,
Seems to me the line is dead when I come calling.
No one there, the sky is falling;

Lord, I need to know.
My mind is playing games again,
You’re right where You have always been.

Take me back to You,
The place that I once knew as a little child;
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me.
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once knew as a little child,
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.

I will rest in You,
I will rest in You,
I will rest in You.

Tell me I’m a fool,
Tell me that You love me for the fool I am,
[And*] comfort me like only You can,
And tell me there’s a place
Where I can feel Your breath
Like sweet caresses on my face again.

I will rest in You,
I will rest in You,
I will rest in You.

La la la la You.
La la la la la.
La la la la la-ah.
(You,) You la la la la You.
La la la la la-ah. (You.)

Take me back to You.
The place that I once knew as a little child;
Constantly the eyes of God watched over me
Oh, I want to be
In the place that I once knew as a little child,
Fall into the bed of faith prepared for me.

I will rest in You,
I will rest in You,
I will rest in You.

Oh, la la la la la
I will rest in You.
(I) I will rest in You. (in You)
I will rest in You. (Sweet caresses)
I will rest in You.
I will rest in You.
(So take me back to You)
I will rest in You (I, I)
I will rest in You.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click on “Very Important Words” on the left margin of this page and make sure.

The Breath of Life (Part 1…Born of the Spirit)

April 4, 2010 at 11:19 pm (1, Devotional Thoughts., Holy Spirit, Life, Sovereignty of God, Transformation.)

Scripture references;

The Empty Tomb

¹ On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. ² So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!”

³ At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. ⁴ The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. ⁵ Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. ⁶ Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. ⁷ The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. ⁸ The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. ⁹ For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the disciples went home again.

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

¹¹ But Mary stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. ¹² She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus’ body had been lying. ¹³ They said to her, ” Woman, why are you crying?”

“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put Him.” ¹⁴ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus.

¹⁵ “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him, and I will take Him away.”

¹⁶ Jesus said, “Mary.”

Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” —which means “Teacher.”

¹⁷ “Don’t cling to Me,” Jesus told her, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father—to My God and your God.”

¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.

The Disciples Commissioned

¹⁹ In the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were [gathered together] with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”

²⁰ Having said this, He showed them His hands and His side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” ²² After saying this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain [the sins of] any, they are retained.”

Thomas Sees and Believes

²⁴ But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called “Twin”), was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe!”

²⁶ After eight days His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you!”

²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don’t be an unbeliever, but a believer.”

²⁸ Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed.”

The Purpose of This Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book. ³¹ But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name. John 20 HCSB

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:5-8 KJV

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7 KJV

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: John 20:22 KJV

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 KJV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy3:16-17 NIV

And don’t get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit: Ephesians 5:18 HCSB

There is so much to be gleaned from the above passages of scripture. I might write about some thoughts I have on that subject sometime in the near future. I wrote a song many years ago. Below are both the words and a link, so you can hear it if you like.

Breathe Your Breath Upon Me

http://www.tinypic.com/player.php?v=30tqng2&s=5

Song #5 Breathe your Breath Upon Me (Genesis 2:7, John 20:22, Ephesians 5:18)

Breathe your breath upon me Lord.
Fill me with the Holy Ghost.*
Write your words upon my heart.
Write them so they will stay.
Breathe your breath upon me Lord.

I stand before your presence Lord,
An empty vessel waiting on you.
Fill me with your goodness.
Lord, teach me your ways.
Breathe your breath upon me Lord.

(Bridge or chorus)

Sometimes I have to think of how God sent you into the world.
Although You took on human form, You were in deed our God.
Our sins were laid upon You, and You carried them away,
And when You rose the victory was won!

So Breathe your breath upon me Lord.
Fill me with the Holy Ghost.*
Write your words upon my heart.
Write them so they will stay.
Breathe your breath upon me Lord…
Breathe your breath upon me Lord…
Jesus, breathe your breath upon me Lord!

*This phrase is not only about the filling of the Holy Spirit that occurs at the time of regeneration. It is also about the control of the Holy Spirit exerted over the believer as he yields. This song is my attempt to convey the beautiful and empowering experience of the Spirit filled life.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click on “Very Important Words” on the left margin of this page and make sure.

Transitions (Part 8…A Time to Learn Something New)

April 1, 2010 at 7:30 pm (1, Assurance, Devotional Thoughts., Guidance, Homeschooling, Lighter Burdens., Our Unchanging God, Patience, Relaxed Homeschooling, Sovereignty of God, Transformation., Transitions ( Where I am, where I have been...the happenings of my life), Wisdom)

Scripture references;

It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26 KJV

I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of Him. Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. God repeats what has passed. Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 HCSB

Well, I guess it is time for another update. In an earlier entry I told you all about my father-in-law passing away, and how my husband had missed a lot of work since the first of January because of the trips we had to make during that sad time. He sprained his ankle about 2 weeks ago, and has not been able to work due to that, as well. On the bright side, my husband’s cousin from Kentucky heard us sing at the funeral and asked us if we would be willing to sing and play at a fish fry. The amount we are being paid for that one night is the same as what my husband would earn for three weeks at his regular job.

The new guard that my daughter got from her TMJ specialist is helping a lot. I am so thankful to see her experiencing relief from that awful pain. She will continue to go for monthly adjustments for awhile, and hopefully will reach a point where she will only have to wear it at night.

I made my first resume, and this week my son revised it for me while he was down here on his spring break. I then went to a “Wage Center” in our town, and took my first set of tests to see how much basic knowledge I had. Although I do have a high school diploma, it has been over 20 years since I graduated. I made the highest possible scores in all the categories! I knew all those years of home schooling the kids would benefit me, and not just the kids. I believe the next step is learning to do WORD and EXCEL. The classes at “The Wage Center” are free, and you go at your own pace. I am hoping to actually become computer literate and learn office skills so I can get a job as a dental assistant or a receptionist. I am hoping that if I work really hard and apply myself I might have a job by June. That is the month when we will experience our first cut in our monthly income.

Well, I guess that is all for now. I am thinking about a hymn that has the most encouraging words. We have a faithful and loving Savior. Here is the hymn below. Some of the words in the third verse are also found in Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”…Did you catch those two wonderful words?…Whose righteousness? The Lord’s righteousness! Not ours. Be glad!

How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click on “Very Important Words” on the left margin of this page and make sure.

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God Moves in a Mysterious Way

March 30, 2010 at 2:10 pm (1, About Sin, Assurance, Devotional Thoughts., Forgiveness, Guidance, Joy, Judging, Lighter Burdens., Our Unchanging God, Praise, Sovereignty of God, Transformation., When You Feel Like Crying., Wisdom)

Scripture references;

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen Romans 11:33-36 KJV

Seek the LORD while He may be found; call to Him while He is near. Let the wicked one abandon his way,and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the LORD,so He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will freely forgive. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” [This is] the LORD’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For just as rain and snow fall from heaven,and do not return there without saturating the earth, and making it germinate and sprout,and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and will prosper in what I send it [to do].” You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided; the mountains and the hills will break into singing before you, and all the trees of the field will clap [their] hands. Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will come up, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will come up; it will make a name for the LORD as an everlasting sign that will not be destroyed. Isaiah 55:6-13 HCSB

Well, I am heading out to work in my flower beds. Yesterday I remembered the poem below. I hope you all enjoy it. I did. I think I will take a break from my worries and enjoy the beautiful sunshine!

God Moves in a Mysterious Way – Cowper

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace:
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain:
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.

-William Cowper-

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click on “Very Important Words” on the left margin of this page and make sure.

Transitions (Part 7…A Time to Have Your Heart Tuned)

March 24, 2010 at 3:04 pm (1, Assurance, Devotional Thoughts., Guidance, Homeschooling, Joy, Lighter Burdens., Our Unchanging God, Parenting, Patience, Relaxed Homeschooling, Sovereignty of God, Transformation., Transitions ( Where I am, where I have been...the happenings of my life), When You Feel Like Crying., Wisdom)

Scripture references;

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

What does the worker gain from his struggles? I have seen the task that God has given people to keep them occupied. He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts. I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of Him. Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. God repeats what has passed. Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 HCSB

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 KJV

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 KJV

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23 HCSB

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 KJV

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: Ecclestiastes 3:11a KJV

Lately I haven’t had much time to “ponder”. After over 20 years I decided it was time to look for a job. If you are curious about what made me decide it was “time” you can read my other entries (parts 1-6). They describe the events that lead up to it. Yesterday was my first day “out there”…. okay I think I’m through using quotation marks for the day… lol. It was an interesting experience, to say the least. I learned something.

I learned that some staffing agencies value skills that come from being a wife and homeschooling mother. When I gave the lady at the staffing agency my resume I had listed my homeschooling experience under “personal accomplishments” ( I know, I used quotation marks again.)…. (sigh) … She was really impressed and asked me why I didn’t list that under “work history”. That was encouraging to me.

Earlier I had some thoughts that prompted me to list some of those scripture references above, but I just can’t remember what they were…I am sorry. I love to think about the Lord and write about Him.

I guess I am just going to have to fess up and tell you all that my heart just isn’t into leaving the station I have known for so long to go work outside the home, especially when I only have a couple years left before my daughter starts college. On top of everything else, I am homeschooling her, but like I said in an earlier entry, she is working independently now.

The Ephesians and Philippians passages cheer me up, because I am the Lord’s workmanship, and if one of the good works I am ordained to walk in is the good work known as “going to work”… and doing the job “as unto the Lord”, then the Lord will provide me not only with a job, but also with the ability and the willingness to do it. It’s a promise, and I am trusting that it’s true. I have no idea if I will be hired, or if He will meet our needs a different way, and allow me to remain at home… But whatever He provides will be both “beautiful” and “light” ( That is also a promise; see the scripture references above.).

Well, I had fun using those “quotation marks” today! Quotation marks: Gotta love em. lol

I just remembered a phrase from a hymn that illustrates what I just described in the paragraph above. It is called “tuning the heart”. Below is the entire hymn.

Various – Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing Lyrics:

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click on “Very Important Words” on the left margin of this page and make sure.

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Encircling Love (Part 3…Eulogy for a Parakeet)

March 20, 2010 at 5:15 am (1, About Sin, Assurance, Devoted To My Daughter, Devoted To My Son, Devotional Thoughts., Faith, Family, Forgiveness, Grace, Guidance, Home Education, Homeschooling, Hope, Joy, Life, Lighter Burdens., Love, Love, Mercy, Our Unchanging God, Parenting, Patience, Peace, Provision, refuge, Relaxed Homeschooling, Resting, Sovereignty of God, strengthening, Thanksgiving, Transformation., treasures, Trusting, value, Veteran Homeschoolers, When you are afraid, When you feel bitter, When You Feel Like Crying., Wisdom, worth)

Scripture references;

You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me. Psalm 139:5 HCSB

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem! The city who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will never see Me again until you say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! ” Matthew 23:37-39 HCSB

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Isaiah 55 KJV

Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. John 13:23 KJV

I used to have a parakeet named Kiwi. She died suddenly (like some of them do) early last fall. She was the friendliest little bird; sassy but friendly. Her cage sat on top of our very old upright piano which faces the front door of our house. The top part of the door has little panes of glass that provide us with a view of anyone approaching it. Whenever we came back home from somewhere and walked up to the house we would hear her tweeting at us, and then we could see her through the glass running from side to side on her perch as fast as she could with her little head down. Then she would slide down one of the wires and hurry to her little cage door and wait for us to let her out. But we dared not put our fingers near her, for if we did she would peck fiercely and immediately bob her head as if to say, “Ha Ha Ha I got you!” If you are wondering how we managed to get her out, it really was quite simple. We just held her door open with one hand and the with our other hand we would hold her “portable perch” (It really was a white plastic clothes hanger.) right up against the cage and say “You want out?”, and out she would come! She then would ride our shoulders and play with us. She used to love to sit on my husband’s shoulder and eat the little potato chip crumbs he would share with her. If her wings were freshly clipped and she accidentally found herself on the floor she would come running toward us and if we pointed our finger like a pretend gun and held it very close to the floor she would hop up on it and perch there. That was the only time she would allow a finger to come near her.

When we bought her she was too young for us to know for sure what her gender was. The top part of parakeets’ beaks are all kind of lavender when they are young, and then turn brownish when they are older if they are female, and a pretty bright blue if they are male. We asked for a male and thought Kiwi was male until she laid her first egg. She would take spells where she would lay eggs for a little while. They looked just like very tiny jelly bean sized chicken eggs. She was our only bird, so we knew they wouldn’t hatch, but she didn’t. She would sit on those eggs so loyally, and would never leave them, so we would have to “try” to get them away from her and throw them away which was no easy task. We dared not put our hand under her. We would have to tilt the cage sideways until it rolled out from under her then very quickly grab the egg. Sometimes it wouldn’t roll far enough, and she would try to push it back to the corner so she could get back on top of it. She really was the cutest little thing, such a devoted “little mama”. I miss her so much.

You might be wondering what, if any spiritual significance can be drawn from the account above, but it is significant. You might even be wondering what led me to choose the combination of verses and passages of scripture that I listed, and if they were taken out of context, but if you will be patient I’ll bring it all together and you will eventually understand.

The Lord hears our prayers, and if the attitude of our heart is right, they please Him, and also bring both comfort and answers to us (sometimes quickly and sometimes not so quickly, but they do come ). This applies even to the brief little one sentence long type of prayers that we offer up to Him throughout the day. However, the Lord longs for us to draw near Him, to spend some time with Him sharing our thoughts with Him, and taking the time to ask Him what is on His mind, and actually pausing to listen to what He might be trying to say to us. As we do this He brings things to our minds, and He reveals things to us about Himself and about us that either come from the Bible or are consistent with what the Bible teaches.

Whenever I go too long without doing this my confidence in the Lord’s willingness to care for me grows weak. I also begin to feel guilty and ashamed, but because I have Him dwelling in me and some of His word hidden in my heart, I am always drawn back to Him after awhile ( usually not too long). The Lord, like in the Matthew 23 passage above, delights in gathering His children to Him just like my little Kiwi delighted in protecting her eggs.

This morning like other times I just described, I realized that I just had to go to Jesus. I was in great need of the comfort that He offers, so I went, and like always when I have went a little while without really drawing near I felt guilty, ashamed and a little afraid, but nonetheless, I went. And like always I found myself thinking about the passages that I knew would promise mercy, pardon, and even peace and joy to those who are not only unrighteous but the wicked, too. Sometimes I would refer to Psalm 51, sometimes other passages, but today it was Isaiah 55. But you know what? I got even more than I had hoped for.

You see I have this habit. Whenever I remember a comforting verse or even just a phrase, I look it up in my “Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible” Then when I find it I will often read either the whole chapter, or even sometimes the entire book that it came from, so I can grasp what was being stressed. Today I had remembered just the part about the mercy and pardon, but when I began reading Isaiah 55 at verse #1, I was reminded that the Lord knows all about my family’s needs, and that I was letting my worries about those needs keep me too distracted to go to Him and be truly blessed. So I read on very slowly pondering every verse. Then I paused and thought “How well do I really know Jesus my Savior? What is He really like?”, and instantly the phrase about the Hen and the chicks and the disciple leaning on Jesus’ bosom came to my mind. I pictured John (that disciple) reclining, probably with the back of his head against the Lord’s shoulder the same way that my kids have leaned on me at times. I know that there was so much being said and going on in each chapter where those verses are found, but my heart rejoiced today at the little glimpse I got of just how loving the Lord really is from those brief excerpts taken from His Holy Word.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click on “Very Important Words” on the left margin of this page and make sure.

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Transitions (Part 4…A Time to Mourn)

March 12, 2010 at 10:54 pm (1, Devotional Thoughts., Sovereignty of God, Transitions ( Where I am, where I have been...the happenings of my life))

Scripture references;

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 KJV

It has been an eventful week. My father-in-law passed away yesterday, after a long hard battle with cancer. We are still down at their home. The funeral is Sunday.

The Lord has blessed us in so many ways, but I’m a little tired, so will write more later.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click on “Very Important Words” on the left margin of this page and make sure.

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Moore to Ponder

Considering the Source: (Part 1 Conviction or Condemnation?)

Just as I am Without One Plea

Transitions (Part 9…While the Dew is Still on the Roses)

Scripture References;

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Tangled Chains

When You Fall (lyrics)

I Must Tell Jesus

Peace (Part 1… Like a Little Child)

Scripture references;

The Breath of Life (Part 1…Born of the Spirit)

Scripture references;

The Empty Tomb

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

The Disciples Commissioned

Thomas Sees and Believes

The Purpose of This Gospel

Breathe Your Breath Upon Me

Transitions (Part 8…A Time to Learn Something New)

Scripture references;

How Firm a Foundation

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

Scripture references;

Transitions (Part 7…A Time to Have Your Heart Tuned)

Scripture references;

Encircling Love (Part 3…Eulogy for a Parakeet)

Scripture references;

Transitions (Part 4…A Time to Mourn)

Scripture references;

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