Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by God ~ Our Daily Bread...

 

Did you know you are fearfully and wonderfully made by God  ? Do you know you Matter to Him ? Do you know that your life has significance in this world ... no matter where you live, what job you have or haven't, rather your single or married, young or old, handicapped or not, etc. ..

you matter to God !

 

This Mornings Devotion ( which I have added below) by Gwen Smith truly touched my heart because I have struggled with allowing the world to define me over the years as a younger woman and as I have grown older I realized that I shall never be properly or perfectly defined by the world but only by God ..if only I had learned that so much earlier in my youth ..but we can all say "if only" for a lot of things in life now can't we. the good thing is I have learned it .. and really all that matters is what God thinks of my life, following his direction, praising him for the good times along with the tough times and leaving each day up to him. 

 

I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God .. and I only hope that I shall be remembered as a gal who loved and served her Lord .. ..

 

Enjoy Gwen's devotion below .. I enjoyed reading about Grandma Eisaman and her undying spirit even in adversity ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

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September 19, 2014
Significant Who? Significant You!
Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

 

 

Friend to Friend

Gertie. That was her name. To me she was Grandma Eisaman, and she lived right across the street when I was a young girl. She was famous in our small town of Irwin, PA for both her engaging personality and her mad baking skills.

Her specialties? Pineapple upside down cake, cinnamon sticky buns, and apple dumplings that were served piping hot in a bowl a la mode. (I just drooled on my computer.)

She was most famous, however, for her homemade bread. Breathe it in and smell it with me. It was melt-in-your-mouth magic.

When I was about eight years old, Grandma taught my sister Elise and I how to make her homemade bread. I still warmly remember so many of the details. We used a large yellow Tupperware bowl, Crisco, Fleishman’s Yeast packets, hot water, sugar, lots of flower, and a pinch of salt.

Elise and I worked the process.

Grandma’s process.

We mixed, kneaded, formed, and baked the bread just like we were taught. And each time we did, the house took on the smell of heaven and every neighbor and visitor was happy to share in the bread-love.

Beyond baking bread, another great lesson that we learned from Grandma Eisaman is that adversity

does not define us.

When she was just 58 years old, grandma had a massive stroke that paralyzed the entire left side of her body. She lived the final five years of her life handicapped, yet chose not to be defined by her limitations.

Life was hard after the stroke. Getting around took a good deal of effort. Her face didn’t look the same. It drooped on one side. Her body didn’t cooperate. I’m sure that was frustrating. Her life-pace had to slow down.

Even still, she fought through adversity and, over time, learned to walk with a cane, and even re-learned how to drive her car (with a few modifications). How cool is that?  And she went on living.

 

She continued to play bridge with her friends, was a leader at her church, and she baked.

Though her life took an unexpected and challenging turn, Grandma Eisaman continued to laugh with, bless, and serve others… at church… in the community… and in the kitchen by baking and giving away countless loaves of fresh baked homemade bread.

Her significance was not defined by her challenges.

Her significance was not defined by her limitations.

She knew who she was in the eyes of her Creator. The One who knew her before she was even knit together in her momma’s womb.

Do you know who you are?

Do you know Whose you are?

Do you allow your challenges, your past, your thoughts, your experiences, or your limitations to define you – or do you allow God to determine your significance?

The struggle with finding significance looks different in each season of a woman’s life. A college student might search for validation in her sorority or GPA, a young mom has to fight to find her importance in stinky diaper changes and 3am feedings, while an empty nester or single sister might try to find success in leading a Bible study or in her volunteer work.

No one understands the insecurities of a woman like another woman. I’m with you in the battle, friend. I’ve wasted a fair amount of time in my own life searching for significance in the approval of others and of God.

 

 

The secret to our significance is found in the heart of God.

In His heart for us.

Here are a few reminders from the Bible:

Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

 

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:26a, 27)

 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

 

I’m a woman of many fleshy failures. Imperfect as they come. I’ve got challenges, frustrations, and insecurities, just like you, that bid to define me. But ONLY GOD has the right to define any of His creations. The Bible teaches that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) – and that

 

God has a purpose for every life, and His purpose is fully centered on HIS glory, not ours.

We can make sense of our significance based on Whose we are, not on what we can or cannot do. Not on what our boss says, what people around us say, or what our culture says. When we allow our significance to be found and defined in the grace of Jesus Christ, we gain a fresh, and compelling understanding of our incredible value.

And if we can bake awesome homemade bread too – all the better.

 

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord,

Help me to accept that You are the One who gets to define my significance. I really want to get this! Please sift through my thoughts, doubts, insecurities, and emotions that leave me feeling like less instead of more.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

 

Now It’s Your Turn

Don’t gloss over this message! Consider where you really are with this. Reflect. Repent if needed. Respond to God in prayer. Go deep with Him. And be honest. God can handle your honesty. I’d love to hear what’s on your heart with all of this. Please CLICK HERE to visit my blog or my Facebook page and leave a comment. Let’s take the conversation deeper and encourage one another. (And while you’re there, let me know what your baking specialty is!!)

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~ Devotion ~ Our Daily Bread........... and a Devotional Giveaway !

 

Good Saturday Morning to you all ...

 

Well it's a Hot Humid Day here already .. supposed to hit 100 degrees and I wouldn't be surprised if it actually ends up hotter .. Hope you all are enjoying a cooler day wherever your neck of the woods is !

 

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Have you ever had one of those moments where a single word stands out to you more one day than it ever has before ..

 

Well I had one of those days today !

 

 

As I was reading one of my daily devotions ... the actual devotion was just about that "DEVOTION" ..

 

What the word actually means ..

 

 Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
Ezra 7:10 (NIV)

 

 

Here's an excerpt from this mornings devotion:

 

Are you familiar with phrases about having our daily devotions? Where did that term originate? We don't know when the word devotions was first used for our periods of Bible study and prayer, but it's appropriate. The word devotion means "earnest affection for a person or a cause." It's a better term than the word commitment. We can be committed to a cause out of sheer duty; but to be devoted implies commitment plus affection.

 

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I love how that excerpt defines devotion as "earnest affection for a person or a cause" because that's how I feel about my Dear Sweet Lord Jesus !  ..

 

However when reading my devotions in the morning be they in book form or e-mail .. I won't say I thought of them as sheer duty ... but it was something I did before starting my day because I wanted too, because it was a tool for learning, because it helped me through my day, but I never formed the thought or word affection with it .. however there is true affection in all of my reasons for reading my devotions and being committed to doing so each day ...

 

As I have grown older words and their meanings have grown more important to me. We have become a society that throws words around that have significant meaning yet we use them so lightly or in ways that are inappropriate. I love learning the true meaning and definitions of words it helps me see and understand things clearer in life.

 

 

One of our Favorite Devotions here at Sweet Magnolias Farm .. is

 

"Jesus Calling" By Sarah Young

 

 

 

 

About 10 or 12 years ago ..I can't remember the actual date or Year .. we were going though some rough times in our family. I had been earnestly praying , reading my bible and searching for God's answers and for his help to walk me through the dark valley we were living in .. I went to Wal-Mart..yep good ol' wallymart ... I imagine for groceries or incidentals .. and I wandered onto the book aisle something not unfamiliar for me to do ..I have always enjoyed reading for pleasure and learning.  I was searching through the books and I saw this Jesus Calling Devotional .. Picked it up flipped through the pages to see what it was all about ..landed on a devotion ..read it .. and it was meant to be .. God Spoke to my heart that day right in the aisle of Wal-Mart through one devotion off the pages of this book .. and I was reminded once again he was with me and would indeed walk me through the difficulties we were facing. And Yes he did .. it was a long journey but it was worth the uphill battle that ensued for nearly 2 years ..and in the end we came out better for it.  Of course I purchased the book that day .. and all these years later I love it as dearly as the day I purchased it ..

 

Since then I have also purchased Sarah Young's second devotional .. Jesus Today

 

 

It's also a beautiful devotional to start or even end your day with .. at one point I was reading Jesus Calling in the morning and Jesus today before going to bed each night ..

 

 

 

Have you ever read the story in the front of the Jesus Calling Book about how Sarah Young came to write "Jesus Calling" .. if you haven't it's a must read ! We have the original devotional "Two Listeners" which Abbey found in an antique mall that inspired Sarah.

 

 

If you are wanting a devotion that speaks to the heart .. messages sent from God .. then Jesus Calling and Jesus Today are what you are looking for ..

 

There are several places that offer them for sale online .. Christian book.com  offers them individually or the pair HERE

 

I think Wal-Mart, Sams Club and even recently they were at Costco for your brick and Mortar shops .. and I'm sure others also.

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 And If you want to try your luck ..

 

you can enter the giveaway below ...

 

There are no mandatory requirements for entering .. if you would like to share about this giveaway that's completely up to you .. Otherwise all you need to do is enter below by using your FB info or your e-mail ..neither of which will be used for any purpose other than picking and contacting the winners.

 

Please only Enter if you are in the contiguous 48 states.

 

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There will be 2 Lucky Winners which will each get the Pair of Devotions ..

Giveaway will end on Saturday September 13th

Winners will be notified Saturday Septemer the 13th and will have 24 hours to claim their prize .. if not claimed in 24 hours a new winner will be picked.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did your Mole Hill turn into a Mountain ? ~ Our Daily Bread ~

So How many times have your Mole Hills in Life Turned into Mountains ?

 

 

 

 

I can answer with all Honesty .. that many times My "Moles Hills" in life Quickly if not instantaneously turn into Mountains.

 

Life really is about perspective. How we view situations ... and sometimes our view can be rather askew.

 

Have you ever been in a situation where someone spoke words during a conversation that seemed meaningless at the moment .. but later in the day those words seemed to stick with you and you kept revisiting them over and over .. they kind of stuck in your head and just kept creeping up during all the other activities throughout the day and no matter how much you tried to sweep them out of the recesses of your brain they kept coming back quicker and more often and with accompanying thoughts of " So what did she/ he mean by that"... "Who do they think they are" .. " why would they say something so unkind" .. and on and on similar thoughts piled one on the other..... What started out as a minor mole hill which honestly didn't mean a whole lot .. within a short time grew to a mountain filled with frustration.

 

I've done this umpteen times in life..  about many different types of situations ..

 

And the one thing I have learned is that life boils down to perspective ... stepping out of SELF .. and really looking over the situation through Gods eyes and not my own before I allow that Mole hill to grow into a Mountain .

 

It's not always easy I must admit, but the truth is... what in life is easy ?  Life is about learning and growing and changing into the Person that we know God would want us to be .. it takes a lot of stretching and re-thinking and working on our inside (our hearts) to become more of the person that God wants us to be ..

 

I love how Gwen Smith over at Girlfriends in God .. made perspective so easily understandable today ...

 

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August 15, 2014
Take a Step Back
Gwen Smith

 

Today’s Truth
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes (Psalm 119:59).

 

Friend to Friend

I gave her instructions for the job. “Clear the furniture from the room, vacuum thoroughly, and then I will show you how to mop the wood floor.” Once my daughter got through the first two of three steps, I joined the cleaning party to teach the age-old-mom-class, "Mopping 101."

Awesome.

 

Class began with a few mopping fundamentals. “Shake the bottle of the polish before you use it. Do one small section at a time. Mop along the grain of the wood. Put some muscle into it and always - always take a step back to see if you missed any spots.” I gave a quick demonstration then Kennedy took the mop and got busy on her weekend wood-floor polishing project.

As I walked away, it hit me. 

The lesson. 

 

In order to see where the polish had been applied on the floor - in order to see if there were any mistakes or overlooked places - a mopper needs to step back and look at things from a different angle. From a fresh perspective.

 

To gain perspective in life, we often need to step back too: away from our emotions, our plans and our expectations - in order to consider the big picture. The God-picture.

It is so easy to get lost in the drama-filled challenges of life and become overwhelmed by our circumstances. Can I hear an Amen? I do this all the time! I get sucked into the drama of a moment and see only what my emotions allow me to see: a dim, slim and flesh-led view. 

Let's be honest, we all have some level of drama and expectations. And that’s not a bad thing. But when our emotions lead our responses, it can be difficult to see beyond our moments and mountains. When our hearts are consumed by the emotions of a moment, we can lose sight of what honors God and what really matters.

 

So what's a woman to do? 

 

Take a step back. Pray. Ask God for vision and perspective. Consider His Word. Remember His power, provision, and plan. Move beyond self-led reactions to Spirit-led responses. The late pastor and theologian A.W. Tozer wrote, "Sometimes when we get overwhelmed we forget how big God is."

 

So true.

Our perspectives change in God’s presence. We gain clarity and peace when we adapt God's perspective instead of our own. His sight is pure, full of grace and eternal – while our sight is often imperfect, narrow and worried about the now. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans."

 

David stepped back in awe of God’s love. “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4)

 

He reflected on his own ways verses God’s ways. “I meditate on your precept and consider your ways.” (Psalm 119:15) “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.” (Psalm 119:59)

 

Jesus also encourages us to step back from worries and fears. ““Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:24-26) When we consider the ways that God has provided in the past, it helps us to trust Him in the present.

 

Kennedy rocked the mop that day in our kitchen because she heeded my directions and consistently drew back to gain perspective on her polishing. Step back today and position yourself in His grace. Consider the big picture. Lay your day, your plans, your thankfulness, your people, your problems, your wins and your losses before God. Trust His ability to work in and through it all. Relish the perspective and peace that rises and then be prepared for those around you to be drawn to the able, faithful God who is at work within you.

 

Let’s Pray
 Dear Lord, I know I need to step away from my emotions, expectations, and plans. I want Your perspective and to respond in ways that please You. Please cover me again with grace, order my steps, and equip me fresh with Your Spirit.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen.

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May You weekend be full of Beauty .. and full of Love of God..

 

 

 

 ( don't forget to join me tomorrow for "Can it Forward Day" )

 

 

Starting the week with just saying "I Love You" .. ~ Our Daily Bread

 

This morning I opened up my inbox to find my "Girlfriends in God" .. devotion waiting for me.

 

I love starting out my mornings with my devotions. It always gives me some good thoughts about myself and my relationship with the Lord throughout the day.

 

Today's devotion touched my heart .....

 

I hope it does yours also ..

 

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I Just Called to Say, “I Love You”Sharon Jaynes

 

 

Today's Truth
‘Call to Me,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will answer you and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know’ (Jeremiah 33:3, NASB).

Friend to Friend
It was an unusual phone call from my son, Steven. It was the second week of his second semester, his third year in college.
“Hey Mom, this is Steven. I just wanted to call and say ‘hello’. I haven’t talked to you in a while and wanted to see how you were doing.”        
“Hey bud,” I replied. “How are you? How are your classes? Do you like your professors?”
We volleyed questions and answers back and forth. It was a nice intro, and I kept waiting for the request such as, “Could you put an extra $50 in my account for another Philosophy book I had to buy?” or “Does my car insurance go up if I get a parking ticket?”
But those type questions never came.
“Mom, how are you doing?”
“What have you been up to this week?”
“How’s the new book coming?”
After about fifteen minutes into our conversation, I reluctantly asked, “Is everything OK?”
“Yea,” he chuckled. “I just called to talk. Are you surprised?”
“Sort of,” I sheepishly admitted. “But it is a wonderful surprise!”
A few minutes later we said our “goodbyes” and “I love yous.” Then I sat there and savored the joy of knowing that my son had called…not because he needed anything or had a problem to solve, but just because he loved me.
Then God spoke to my heart:

Sharon, I want you to remember how you feel at this moment. Your son, who you love more than life itself, has just called to talk to you…not because he wanted anything, not because he had a question about a decision or a detail of life, not because he had a problem to solve. He called just to talk, simply to see what was on your heart—because he loves you. That, my child whom I love more than life, is the same way I feel when you talk to Me—not because you want something, not because you have a question about a decision or a detail of life, not because you have a problem to solve. That is how I feel when you talk to Me simply because you want to learn what is on My heart…simply because you love Me.

Steven’s call was a poignant reminder that the God of the Universe delights when His children call…just to say, “I love You.”
“Call to Me,” says the Lord, “and I will answer you and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3 NASB)

Let’s Pray
Dear Father, I love You. That’s really all I want to say today. I love You, not because of what You do, but because of Who You are…my Heavenly Father.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
Have you told God you love Him lately? If not, one of the best ways to praise Him is to use the names of God found in the Bible. Let’s look at a few. I’ll give you the Hebrew name found in the Old Testament and the English translation.
God I praise you that you are:

• Jehovah – The Self Existent Onewho had no creator and was before all things (Exodus 3:13-16

• Jehovah-Raah – The Lord my Shepherd(Psalm 23

• Jehovah-Jireh – The Lord Who Provides(Genesis 22:8, 14)

• Jehovah-Shalom– The Lord of Peace (Judges 6:24)

• Jehovah-Rophe - The Lord Who Heals physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Exodus 15:26)

• Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness(Jeremiah 23:6)

• Jehovah-Shammah – The Lord is There(Ezekiel 48:35)

• Jehovah-Nissi – The Lord my Banner(Exodus 17:15)

• Jehovah-M’Kaddesh – The Lord Who Sanctifies(Leviticus 20:8)

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Even Though I'm not a Mom .. and I don't relate to the above devotion in having your child generally call or come to you over something they need ..

 

I could relate to it on the side of being a daughter throughout the years and being that child (young and adult) that has gone to them numerous times with needs on every level. And Yes just going to them on many occasions to just say "I love You"

 

But it was a great way of showing our relationship with our heavenly father and how we go to him constantly with our needs which we are supposed to do .. We go to him in praise of all he does for us.. .. but how often do we go to him with "I Love You" .. Simply "I Love You "..

 

I can say in all honesty that most my prayers are for thanks, Praise and need of myself or other's with I love You mixed in.. but not as often are my prayer's just simply "I Love You's" .. with no other attachments.

 

It's something I can't wait to begin implementing in my walk with the Lord ..

 

And what a great way to start the new week .. a Monday that begins a week of Simply "I Love You's"

 

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Wishing you all a Beautiful and Blessed Week ..

 

 

 

 

The Power of Words ~ Our Daily Bread

 

 

 

 

Good Wednesday Morning to you all or Afternoon or Evening depending on where you live in this beautiful world of ours ...

 

Each morning dropped in my inbox is a devotional from Dr. David Jeremiah. He is a pastor at Shadow Mountain Church in El Cajon, CA. He is a true man of God that is a Bible Teacher .. and I have come to enjoy his teaching over the years and enjoy his devotions that arrive each day to start my morning...

 

This Morning .. touched my heart .. and I hope it touches yours too ...

 

 

 

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Powerful WordsThen God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
Genesis 1:3

Recommended Reading James 3:1-12

In the beginning God spoke and it was. His words created something out of nothing. While our words are not as powerful as God's, Proverbs declares that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (18:21a). Once we accept the power of our words, we must decide on their purpose.

Words can be as useful as a strong horse ploughing a field or a spark used to start a warm fire on a winter night. They can also rage uncontrollably, destroying what lies in their path. Caring words of support create a safe and intimate friendship. Truthful words spoken in love can offer a friend the opportunity to grow, but spiteful words destroy friendships, and vindictive truth discourages the hearer instead of inspiring them to grow.

Within seconds thoughts become words that slip off our tongue and into the world. Pausing before we speak may seem cumbersome, but it allows us to decide: Is this helpful? Does this need to be said now? What is the best way to say this?

Our words reveal what we care about and they influence others. Is there someone you can encourage today?

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Martin Luther King Jr.

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It's so true that there is great power in our words ..

 

I'm sure that you can recall at least one time that words were spoken towards you in Anger, maybe even Hate from someone in your life .. and even if that relationship has mended, those words have never left your memory... Isn't it amazing even mended relationships that are now working beautifully still retain the memory of Harsh words that were spoken in the past. That is exactly how poweful "OUR WORDS" are when spoken. 

 

We can look to young children in school and they come home to mom or dad crushed by the words spoken by another child toward them .. WORDS ARE POWERFUL ! And are we not like children crushed by words from our piers .. we are just in grown up bodies with the same feelings and emotions .

 

 

I have always been an observer in life .. the quiet one you may have saw off in the corner ..not necessarily appearing to be part of the group .. I was the different child in school because I was not super social ..Now I know as an adult I have always been an introvert living in a world that is made up of mainly extroverts.  This made me different from the crowd ..and because I didn't fit the mold .. I can assure you that names were called and words were spoken that seemed to not mean much to others .. but they hurt greatly at the time .. Oh yes I recovered, however those words spoken have never left my memory. I didn't hold onto them for revenge or spite .. in fact I have no ill feelings towards anyone ... we are all at different stages of life and learning we are all cut from a different mold, my only hope is that many will come to think before they speak .. Because Once words are spoken you can't undo what they have done to another's spirit. Words can break a person's spirit.

 

In Fact... I think leaning towards speaking encouraging words towards others is the way to go.

Lifting others up rather than tearing them down is a much better choice in life.

And

When a situation arises that is serious and you need to speak ...rather than attacking the person with words and tearing them down ..instead discuss the action or the behaviour .. There are ways to approach situations with words that don't harm but help.

 

WORDS ARE POWERFUL !  Use your power to lift someone up today ... More often than you realize those around you really need words of encouragement ..

 

 

 

Have a Beautiful and Blessed Day Full of Powerful Encouraging Words !

 

 

 

 

 

Our Daily Bread ~ Make me a Blessing .. ...

~ Make me a Blessing ~ 

 

 

If you're a first timer to visiting our blog I just want to say Welcome we are so glad to have you ..and if you are one of our followers I just want to say that we are so grateful that you follow our blog and we hope that each time you visit and share in our posts that you find your time here is blessed...

 

Speaking of Being Blessed .. it's a topic that Abbey and I happened on this week ... as many of you know we enjoy pinning on Pinterest and by the way most that pinning and all those beautiful boards are all created by Abbey ... She has such a wonderful eye for picking out and putting together such beautiful things and scenery and I am ever so grateful for her enjoyment of pinning such lovely things to share... and speaking of pinterest ..if you have followed our boards you may have visited our boards of faith filled with scripture and uplifiting and encouraging sentiments...which brings me to the topic that Abbey and I began discussing this week.

 

She had been pinning several faith based pins on "God Blessing Us" meaning the individual each one of them was asking for God's blessings. And that is most definitely what we are to do is ask for his blessings .. but on the flip side of that .. we discussed that we are always praying and asking the Lord to bless Ourselves.. but did he not call us each individually to be a blessing to one another ?

 

 

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phillipians 2:3-4

 

 

God has called us to be a blessing to others and in so doing we should ask for his blessings but shouldn't we be asking him to help us be a blessing to others. There are so many ways to be a blessing to those we come in contact with each day.. to perfect strangers we can be a blessing ..

 

We live near a retirement community and the post office and the grocery store we frequently go to and shop at ... are filled with many men and women that are well into their 70's - 80's - and 90's. It's without saying that we too shall be that age one day if life does not end sooner for us ... Life slows way down when you get to those ages for so many not because you want it to but because the body has grown old and can no longer sustain the quickness or ability or agility it did in it's youth ... I say this to share that this is one place I have found that we can be a blessing when we are out.

 Just this last week we were in the grocery store when an older man was standing beside us on an aisle and asked if we knew where the pudding was and we pointed him to the aisle with the boxed puddings ..once again we met up on that aisle and we inquired if he had found the pudding he was looking for .."No" he replied it's not here. "It's in a tub with a lid on it " asking him "so it's already made up ...?" ..." Yes" he replied .. ...not buying pudding in a box or premade Abbey and I were a bit stumped but showed him the pre-mades in the single serving containers thinking that was it ..and yet still he said that wasn't it. He again reitereated that it was in a tub ....

So Abbey went to the front to ask one of the clerks while I stood and talked with him ..in which he began to share that he knew that they bought the pudding there because it had been purchased for his wife who could only eat soft foods because she had cancer but had since recently passed away and his daughter had last done the shopping and bought it for him but now he was trying to shop for himself and didn't know where to find it. He then went on to talk about daughters and how helpful they were and inquired if I was a daughter and I said I was and he shared with me how important daughters are because they have been taught to do the things mom's and wives do and that boys and men sure do need them and how much his daughter meant to him .. By this time Abbey had arrived back and she found out that the pudding he mentioned was found in the cold case near the milk and yogurt on the opposite side of the store so we wheeled our cart with his down to the other end of the store and helped him sort out where in the cold section the pudding was. We found it .. he loaded it in his cart and thanked us for our help and we told him he was more than welcome and we all went our own ways. I imagine that took near 15 or 20 minutes of time that day ..but I believe we were a blessing to this gentlemen.

 

We didn't start out to help thinking we could be a blessing .. we did it because it's just apart of our hearts to be helpers ..but if being a helper or putting someone else before our selves makes us a blessing then we are all the happier to do so.

 

Being a blessing means we are servant and this week these lyrics from one of the praise songs kept running over in my head ...except I didn't realize I was inserting the wrong word until today when I began this post ...Below are the lyrics .. however where you see the word "Servant" I kept singing "Blessing" ... I suppose Servant and Blessing can be very much one in the same ... to be a servant can truly be a Blessing to others !

 

 

 

Make me a servant, Humble and meek,
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak,
And may the prayer of my heart always be:
Make me a servant today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So In your prayers and throughout your day when you ask the Lord to Bless your Life , your Husband, Your Children ..your Income .. The Dr. that's perfoming a surgery on a friend or Loved one etc.... Be sure to remember to ask the Lord to allow you to be a Blessing to someone else in life.... You won't regret it I promise.... to be a blessing is to be blessed.

 

Wishing you all a Beautiful Weekend...

 

I have a fun post coming up on the "Scraps" of time my newest Estate Sale find...

 

Until then...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Daily Bread ~ it's time to Rise n' Shine Psalm 143:8

 

"Our Daily Bread"

 

Yesterday Morning as I arose ..I once again opened my "Jesus Calling" devotional and read the day's devotion. And Before I stepped away from my bed I read a scripture that was given to me many years ago and has been an encouragement to me for many years ...

 

It's a scripture that is tucked away in the book of Pslams ...and possibly is read over without much meaning ... as it doesn't correlate with any special story in the bible that is told ..or isn't one I have heard spoken of in Church on a regular basis ...but it touched my heart at a time in life when I needed to know that the Lord was with me every moment.. and that If I kept me eyes on him ...he would guide me throughout my day.

 

 

 

 

I thought I would share this favorite scripture of mine with all of you ..that it might touch your heart as it did mine ...

 

"Let the Morning bring me word of your unfailing Love, for I have put my trust in you, Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

Pslam 143:8

 

It meant and still means a lot to me to wake up and know that even when I awake in the morning through his word I am surrounded by the "UNFAILING" LOVE of the Lord ..his love never fails. And that I can call on him each morning and tell him that I have put my trust in him for the day for the week for the month for my life ....and call on him to direct me to show me to make my path straight ... because to him I give myself ..my soul ..my life ...

 

For a long while I must admit I cried this out to the Lord when life was bleak and uncertain .. and he heard me and answered in his perfect timing not mine and that season of life passed as I have learned all seasons do .. and now each morning I read this scripture which reminds me of where I was and where I have come because of him .. and it reminds me to put my Trust in him ..and His Unfailing Love will always be there to hold me in times of sadness or despair and to be Joyful in my times of Joy and Happiness ... He is always there ...

 

Wishing you all a Life Filled with His Unfailing Love...

 

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