ABC's of the Word

I'm joining Pam at Grey Like Snuffie for ABC's of the Word. Be sure and visit Pam and all the participants of this weekly exploration of the Word of God through use of the alphabet.

This week we're concentrating on the letter:

O

I've chosen verses from Isaiah:

O LORD, You are my God;
I will exalt You and praise Your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
You have done marvelous things,
things planned long ago.

You have made the city a heap of rubble,
the fortified town a ruin,
the foreigners' stronghold a city no more;
it will never be rebuilt.

Therefore strong people will honor You;
cities of ruthless nations will revere You.

You have been a refuge for the poor,
a refuge for the needy in his distress,
a shelter from the storm
and a shade from the heat.

For the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm
driving against a wall
and like the heat of the desert.

You silence the uproar of foreigners;
as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud,
so the song of the ruthless is stilled.

On this mountain the LORD Almighty
will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine--
the best of meats and the finest of wines.

On this mountain He will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
He will swallow up death forever.

The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
He will remove the disgrace of His people
from all the earth.

The LORD has spoken.

In that day they will say,

"Surely this is our God;
we trusted in Him,
and He saved us.

This is the LORD,
we trusted in Him;
let us rejoice
and be glad
in
His
salvation."

Isaiah 25: 1-9 (NIV)

I have been through some "times" lately--"times" of discord, "times" of wondering what direction I'm headed in, "times" of a lot of change that I don't understand.

But, through it all I know that THIS is my GOD--surely I trust in Him and HIS wondrous plans for me and those surrounding me.

Who should I trust but the LORD--the ONE who holds the entire universe in His control--the plans laid out long ago--for His good and useful purposes?

This is MY God, OUR God--the ONE who sustains us through it all--and I will exalt and praise His Holy Name--

FOR THIS IS OUR GOD

Beth

ABC's of The Word

I'm joining Pam at Grey Like Snuffie for ABC's of the Word. This week we're doing the letter:

Make sure to stop by and visit Pam and all the participants for this fun way to explore the Bible using the alphabet.

The verses I have chosen for today are:

O LORD, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit down 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.....Psalm 139:1-4

I carry these verses with me--in my heart, in my mind--throughout my day. Sometimes my own feelings are telling me that God is distant and far from me. I may feel frustrated, a little lost and alone.

But, these verses tell me otherwise. God knows me. He is always with me--even when I am lying down and asleep. He knows my heart, my very thoughts even before I think them--my words before I speak them. He is always with me--right there by my side.

He is near. All I need to do is look around me at His creation--He is there. I pray and feel comforted--He is there. I hear a small child's laughter--He is there. I cry--He is there.

I am His daughter, His child. I am uniquely made and created by HIM, for HIM.

These verses are not about me, but about God's wonderful ability to know each of us--inside and out--and love us--a lot of the time in spite of ourselves.

Beth

ABC's of the Word

I'm joining with Pam at Grey Like Snuffie today for the ABC's of the Word. This week we're using the letter:


The verse I've chosen happens to be one of my very favorite verses:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit....Romans 15:13

These are some powerful words!!

I know that there are many times that I feel like I'm running on a half-tank or even empty trying to meet the demands of my daily life.

And yet, here--in this verse--Paul is telling the believers in Rome that it is possible to overflow with hope as God fills us with all joy and peace

OVERFLOW???

How do we get to the overflow with joy and peace and trust and hope?

Oh, I want to overflow--feel full to the point of brimming--not empty, not even half-full!!

I want to be the person whose joy can light up a room, whose peace is felt by those around me even in the toughest of situations.

HOW?

Let's reread the verse carefully and we can see--

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.

And here it is--this joy, peace, and hope has everything to do with the power of the Holy Spirit, the trust that no matter what the situation God has the power and strength to guide and see us through.

Throughout the Book of Romans, Paul time and time again quotes the Old Testament--passages about praising God, worshiping Him, singing to Him, rejoicing in Him.

I'm thinking that the way to this joy is through praise--praise to God no matter what our circumstances are--praise for the good times, praise for the bad times, praise for even the smallest thing we may notice in our daily lives.


It is difficult to praise God for hard times, but I have found that these are the times that God works the most in my life, brings me to new understandings of His power, might and strength, makes me lean harder and harder upon Him and less upon myself.



Yes, I want to overflow with joy, so I will praise God--even in those storms--for everything!

Phil Ware--Heartlight

My Father,

I come to You this morning. My heart is full of many things all of which You know and understand. I have no understanding of some of the circumstances that You have given me, but I rest in the trust that You have greater plans and purposes for each of these situations.

Help me to praise You always, especially in the most difficult of times. Open my eyes, my heart and my mind so that Your Holy Spirit may work through me and in me so that I may overflow with joy in You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

ABC's of the Word

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts the ABC's of the word each week. Today we're exploring the letter:

"I"

There are many verses in the Bible with the letter "I", and I definitely had trouble choosing one.

Courtesy of Ben Steed, Heartlight

Many thoughts are running through my head this week, the week before celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. I have been spending a lot of time pondering, reflecting upon what Jesus did for me, did for all of us. I was rescued from a life of destruction, violence, turmoil and because of Jesus I have found peace, hope, joy and love.

My hope is only in Him.

My heart is full, I cry from time to time thinking of His anguish--and yet He is my guiding light--guiding me out of the darkness time and time again--leading me on.

I seek the light wanting to stay fully connected with Him. I want to be alone with Him, talk with Him, thank Him, praise Him, just be with Him.

I need God in my life, not just here or there--not just on Sundays--but always--every moment. I need to follow the light and be a light so that others may see me shining God's Glory and come to Him. This is God's hope--that ALL come to Him and be saved through His Son, Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

Make sure to visit Pam and all the others who are exploring the letter "I" this week. Maybe this is the week that you'll join us!!


Beth

ABC's of the Word

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC's of the Word every week--a fun way to explore the Bible using the alphabet. Be sure and visit Pam to enjoy all the participants who are using the letter:



Hard to believe that we're at "H" already!!

The word I have chosen is:

HEAR

And the verse that I love with this word is:

Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD will hear when I call to Him.....Psalm 4:3

What blessed assurance knowing that the LORD hears us when we have the faith to know that He is there and listening for us!!

Have a wonderful day in HIM!

Beth

ABC's of the Word

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC's of the Word every Thursday. This is a fun way to explore the Bible, find new verses using the alphabet. Be sure and visit Pam to see all the participants and which verse they have chosen for the letter:

I'm just glad I have internet access today and can post this!! My internet has been off and on all week long. Just when I think--"Oh, it's back" and sit down to do something--BAM--gone again!!

So, I'm going to be quick to make sure I get this posted before it goes down again!!

My "G" word for this week is:

GREAT

I know the word "great" is used many times in the Bible--I don't know exactly how many, but I've come across it quite a lot. But, I've chosen a verse that is not saying that God is great (though He certainly is) or His glory is great (cannot dispute that fact), or His mercy is great (again, another truth of God).

My verse is speaking of myself--my life the past two weeks:

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your unfailing love supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy......Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)

I've been riding an emotional high for weeks now--my home, moving, getting settled in--all exciting and promises from God to an answered prayer.

Then, I became very ill, troubles with the bank, two daughters both with different types of problems that I was concerned about--and my anxiety grew and grew. As I stated in my last post, I waited and waited until I could stand no more before reaching out to God.

And when I did reach out to Him, He was there for me, as always--waiting patiently for me to turn to Him.

My anxiety was great. I sat down and poured it all to God. He enabled me to talk with my daughters sensibly to help see them through their problems. The bank resolved their issue and I am finally feeling almost 100%.

During this pouring out to God of all that had been going on in my life, I felt a great peace--a peace that can only come because I had given all of these things to God instead of trying to carry them by myself. Control issue that needs to be addressed?

Make sure to visit The Power of Your Love for Thankful Thursday!!

Beth

ABC's of The Word

Before I begin my "ABC's", I'd like to thank everyone who has been praying for and thinking of me during my recent illness. I'm glad to report today that my temperature is finally down to 99 from a high of almost 104, and I'm beginning to feel semi-human! So, a big thank you to all of you!!


Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC's of the Word on Thursday's. It's a fun way to explore and learn new Bible verses each week, working our way through the alphabet. Be sure and visit Pam and all those who join in. Maybe you'd like to join in this week!!

This week we are using the letter:




And the word that I have chosen is:

EYES

Psalm 121

I lift my eyes to the hills--
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of Heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip--
He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you--
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm--
He will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forever.

Just a little background--when this Psalm was written, and the psalmist lifted his eyes to the hills, what did he see?

He saw idol worshipers, temples to Baal. People would come to these hills and the Baal worshipers seeking help and guidance.

So, when he was saying, "I lift my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from?", he was asking himself:

"Does my help come from these idol worshipers nestled in the mountains?"

"No, my help comes only from The LORD--the Creator of Heaven and earth--and the LORD watches over me every minute of every day of my life--He never sleeps. He is with me now and forever."

Please be sure to stop by The Power of Your Love for my "Thankful Thursday" post.

Beth

ABC's of the Word

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts "ABC's of the Word". I love doing these ABC's!! They stretch my mind and always once again overwhelm with the love of Jesus for me. Please be sure to visit Pam and see her verse for this week as well as all the other participants. Maybe you'd like to join us!

This week we're on the letter:



I have chosen a verse that is probably the most well known in the Bible. These words speak so much to me because they have changed my life.

My "B" word is BELIEVE.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in Him shall not perish but have eternal life....John 3:16

Yes, these words have changed my life. Who is there that can love me as much as God? Who is the one whose blood has set me free? Who has changed me from the person I was to the person I am and am still becoming? Who is the One I can trust with everything in my life--from the smallest to the largest? Who has given back to me what I have lost--my hope, my trust, my joy plus given me an eternal life spent with God in Heaven?

All of this and more, simply because I have accepted and BELIEVE.

WHO IS THERE LIKE YOU?

THERE IS NONE OTHER LIKE JESUS!

I found this video which completely expresses what this verse says to me. Watch it and see if this doesn't speak to you.

YES, THANK YOU, LORD!!

Be sure to stop by The Power of Your Love for Thankful Thursday!!

Beth

ABC's of the Word

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts "ABC's of the Word"--a fun exploration of Bible verses using the alphabet. Be sure and visit Pam to see all the different verses each of those participating chose for this week. We're starting all over again with the letter

For my "A" word, I have chosen two words:

"and"

"amazed"

"AND I pray that you, being rooted AND established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide AND long AND high AND deep is the love of Christ, AND to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.".....Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)

I have to admit that I chose this verse simply because I love what it tells me. All the "ands" add up to a love that goes beyond comparison, a love that we will never find here on this earth--no matter how hard we may search. That love is the love of Jesus Christ, a love that is immeasurable and amazing.

Amazing!! The words amaze, amazing, amazed are used throughout the Old and the New Testament. I did a quick search and found 41 verses that contain the word "amazed."

And is it any wonder? Our Lord is amazing, and we just cannot grasp the concept of how wide and how long and how high and how deep His love for us is.

YES, LORD, I AM AMAZED BY YOUR LOVE FOR ME!

Be sure and stop by The Power of Your Love for my Thankful Thursday with Sonya!

Beth

ABC's of the Word

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts the ABC's of the Word. This week we've reached the end of the alphabet and will be starting over again with "A" next week. This is a fun exploration into Scripture, and I know we would all love you to join!! If you want to start at the beginning of the alphabet, next week is the week!!

Be sure and watch the video to see, hear and sing my "Z" verse!!

Are you ready? He's already there at your house today!!

Now, follow me..........we're going to be thankful on this Thursday!!!

Beth

ABC's of the Word--Y

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie is hosting the ABC's of the Word. This week is the letter "Y". Be sure and visit Pam to view all the participants' verse choices this week with the letter "Y". Maybe you'd like to join in this week. It's easy and it's fun!!

Here's my choice for this week:

When I consider YOUR heavens,
the works of YOUR fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which YOU have set in place,
what is man that YOU are mindful
of him,
the son of man that YOU care
for him?
YOU made him a little lower than the
heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory
and honor.

YOU made him ruler over the works
of YOUR hands,
YOU put everything under his feet;
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our LORD,
how majestic is YOUR name in all
the earth!

Psalm 8:3:9

As I read and ponder on these verses, I have to ask myself these questions:

Are we taking care of all that God has given us? All that HE has made us ruler over?

Who am I that HE should care so much for ME?

How awesome and wonderful is OUR LORD!! How majestic HIS name and HIS creation!!

Enjoy the video!! It's a wonderful way to start your day!!

Beth

Please stop by The Power of Your Love to read my "Thankful Thursday"!!

ABC's of the Word--X

Hmmmm......X!!!

I've looked, and there aren't too many words that begin with the letter "x". I'm glad that Pam at Grey Like Snuffie has given us a little leaveway this week in the choosing of our verse.

I did find some verses that have "x" in them that tell how I feel about my love for God and His love for me:

I will eXtol the LORD at all times
His praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me;
let us eXalt His name together.

Psalm 34:1-3

Any one who knows me, knows that music is never far behind. God speaks to me through music, and I have a video I'd like to share in addition to this verse.

How Great is Your Love
MercyMe

My heart is steadfast oh God
And I will sing
With all my heart and soul
Music for the King
And I will awake the dawn
With my praise to you O Lord

How great is Your love
So much higher than the heavens
With faithfulness that reaches the sky
How great is Your love
So much higher than the heavens
With faithfulness that reaches the sky
O how great is Your love

Praise the Lord O my soul
And glory to the King
Forever You are robed with majesty
We come to you O Lord
And Lay our praise at your feet

Be eXalted O God and let Your glory reign
Be eXalted O God and let Your glory reign
Let it reign
Let it reign
Let it reign
Let it reign
Let it reign
Let it reign

Be sure and visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie for more ABC's of the word participants. I see she has a Mr. Linky up for all those who would like to join in!!

Have a wonderful day! Remember to eXalt Our God today and let HIS glory reign!

Beth

ABC's of the Word--W

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC's of the Word each Thursday. I decided to join her last week. We're on the letter "W", and you can join in anytime you like. Yes, we're almost to the end of the alphabet, and then we're going to start all over again. With so many verses of Scripture to choose from, this could probably go on for a very, very long time. So, please be sure to visit Pam, join in if you would like. But, be sure to visit all the participants for some uplifting "W" verses today.

Before I begin, let me say that I had my "W" verse picked out last week as soon as I had posted my "V" verse. But, yesterday I received some new books in my mail. While leafing through them--just browsing--this verse literally jumped off the page!! This is one of my very favorite verses in the Bible, and last night these words just spoke to me:

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.....Zephaniah 3:17

I know that these are small words--with and will--but they spoke powerfully to me last evening. Why? Because I found these two little words to mean "constancy" to me.

With--God is there beside us--no matter what!! He is close to us--only a prayer or cry away. He never changes in His promises, His faithfulness or His love. He is always with us!! I find great comfort and joy in this word "with". This brings me a feeling of peace knowing that God is omnipresent, always there to guide and direct me.

Will--This is based on the fact that we are God's children. He loves us and He will find His joy is us, just as we find our joy in Him. This is not based on what we do or do not do. This is based on pure, unconditional love.

He is our Father. I think of when my own children have an accomplishment achieved in their lives and how proud I am of them for attaining their goal. Our Father's joy is so much greater than ours. God is so much more joyful than we are--more than we can even grasp. Can you just imagine how joyful God is when we follow and obey His Will for us!!

His joy is so great that He cannot contain himself. He sings, He dances, He takes delight in us!!

He will quiet you with His love--What peace in knowing that whatever our circumstances, God is there. Just turn to Him, tell Him your problems, tell Him how you're feeling about whatever situation you're facing. God will quiet you with His love and His peace--the peace that surpasses all human understanding--the peace that remains with us always regardless of what pains and turmoils we're having in our lives at any given moment--the peace of God.

While the second part of this verse does not have a "W", it is the most important part. HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE!! Jesus is our only source of salvation, our hope for eternal life. God accepts our repentance from sin no matter how many times we come to Him. Yes, HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE!!

Abba,

Today I come to You with a thankful heart. Thank you for always walking with me, beside me. Thank you for taking delight in me even when I don't feel so delightful. Thank you for the comfort in knowing that you are with me at all times. You are there. Thank you for sustaining me with Your power, Your might to fight off the enemy's advances upon me. Quiet me with Your love today, Lord. Help me to find Your peace in every situation that I may face this day and quiet me with Your love. Thank you for paying the price for me through your own Son, Jesus Christ and allowing me to fall sometimes so that I can learn and grow in You.

In your Son's precious name,

All God's people say.........

AMEN!!

Be sure and stop next door for "Thankful Thursday" with Sonya.

Beth

ABC's of THE WORD--V

You know how it goes in blogland!! Someone finds you on another blog, they visit you, you visit them and there you find something interesting!

This happened to me this week, and I met Grey Like Snuffie who every Thursday is doing ABC's of the Word. So, I decided to join in with her. All you need to do is find a verse with a word or words with the letter of the week in it and post it!! If you're interested in joining in this fun venture, visit Grey Like Snuffie. There you can see all the participants and perhaps join in yourself!

This week the letter is "V", and here is the verses I have chosen:

How many are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, VAST and spacious,
teeming with creatures beyond number--
living things both large and small.

Psalm 104:24-25

VAST: Of great or immense proportions, a very large quantity in size, amount and space.

When I read and study this verse, the VASTNESS of all that God has created and has in His control, I wonder that He evens finds time for me. Yet, He does.

My Father,

I thank you for finding time for me each and every moment of my life--for always being there for me in all Your faithfulness. Please lead and guide me through this day with the great promise of Your unfailing love.

In your precious son Jesus' name,

Amen.

For my Thankful Thursday post, please stop by and visit me here.

Beth