MANNA in Your Tent

There was a dense fog hovering over the house this morning. The photos that you are viewing were taken just after dawn. These little tents of webs, soft and white, just appeared everywhere around my pond today. They reminded me of how God covers us with His TENT. They also looked like manna - or what you imagine it to look like... almost like spun sugar - pure white. God's Hand appears everywhere when we take notice!

WE CRY HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!
Psalm 30
A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David.
1 I will exalt you, O LORD, for You lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to You for help and You healed me.
3 O LORD, You brought me up from the grave; You spared me from going down into the pit.
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of His; praise His holy Name.
5 For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
11 You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing to You and not be silent.
LORD my God, I will give You thanks forever.

Exodus 16:15-17
15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. 16 This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.' "
17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. [emphasis mine]

Got Enough Manna?? Enough GRACE for today??

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie
[Trusting God's Heart]

Back to Basics

A few Sunday's ago, I wrote about the American flags that I counted on my ride to the church where I am teaching - how they reminded me of the 23rd Psalm. You may be asking how they are related? They are both basics of our faith in God and country. Every time I see an American flag now - I recite it or ponder the verses of that Psalm and all they mean.

Today my phone has rung off the hook since I got home from church. Some calls were precious and special - but many were about the needs of hurting people. As I came upstairs to write today's post I asked the LORD what HE wanted me to share. And (again) He brought me back to the basics. Here's the version [KJV] that most of us know from memory - BUT - let's look at it - in just a little more light! This is what He gave me - and somebody out there needs this TODAY!

The 23rd Psalm

1The LORD is my Shepherd;

[I have a Leader who loves & cares about me]

I shall not want.
[There is nothing He won't supply for me.]

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He allows me to rest in pleasant places when I need to]

He leadeth me beside the still waters.
[He takes me to a quiet place to replenish me]

3 He restoreth my soul:

[In His arms my soul is revived and restored]

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

[He guides me gently into His right paths]

for His name's sake.

[He does all this to bring glory to His Name]

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

[Even when my circumstance seem unbearable...]

I will fear no evil:

[They won't overtake me:]

for Thou art with me;

[When I allow Him to remain with me;]

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

[His shepherding "tools" of love - through His Word - will comfort my heart]

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

[He bids me 'come and dine' with Him - in the midst of my turmoil]

Thou anointest my head with oil;

[He pours Himself over me and fills me up]

my cup runneth over.

[His goodness to me overflows - onto others]

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

For certain - His goodness and compassion pursue me every day]

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

[and I have the JOY and PRIVILEGE of ETERNAL LIFE - FOREVER - IN HIS PRESENCE]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Trusting God's Heart]

SET APART - I AM YOURS

Leviticus 20:25-26 [selected]
" 'You must therefore make a distinction... Do not defile yourselves ... You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own. [emphasis mine]

Psalm 4:3

Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD will hear when I call to Him. [emphasis mine]

Isaiah 23:18

Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the LORD; they will not be stored up or hoarded. Her profits will go to those who live before the LORD, for abundant food and fine clothes. [emphasis mine]

Galatians 1: 13-24

Paul's Testimony of God's Grace and Glory

I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." And they praised God because of me. [emphasis mine]

1 Peter 3:14-16

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

As Christ has set us [those who know Him and have received Him personally] apart for Himself - may we choose in our hearts to set apart Christ as Lord and Master in our lives daily.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Trusting God's Heart]

Let Us PRAY

1 Samuel 12: 22-24

22 For the sake of His great name the LORD will not reject His people, because the LORD was pleased to make you His own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. [emphasis mine]

Romans 8: 26-27

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

2 Thessalonians 1:11

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

THEN, LET US PRAY

The day was long, the burden I had borne

Seemed heavier that I could no longer bear;

And then it lifted-- but I did not know

Someone had knelt in prayer.

Had taken me to God that very hour,

And asked the easing of the load, and He

In infinite compassion, had stooped down

And lifted the burden from me.

We cannot tell how often as we pray

For some bewildered one, hurt and distressed,

The answer comes, but many times these hearts

Find sudden peace and rest.

Someone had prayed, and faith, a lifted hand

Reached up to God, and He reached down that day.

So many, many hearts have need of prayer-

Then, let us, let us pray. ~Author Unknown

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Trusting God's Heart]

Future Generations

As I awaited the anticipated phone call this morning for my 6th grandchild to arrive, I pondered what the future would hold for this child 'yet unborn'. For 9 months I was convinced that this 'surprise' child was a girl - until 5AM this morning whenI read Psalm 21. The LORD revealed the gender and more about the child's destiny.

Psalm 21

3 You welcomed him with rich blessings

and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—

length of days, for ever and ever.
5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;

You have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.

13 Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength;

we will sing and praise Your might. [emphasis mine]

**************************************************

BRADEN MONTGOMERY THOMPSON

was born at 8:15AM today -

weighing a hefty 9 lbs. 15 oz. -

21 inches long.

Braden means: Descendant, wise one...

His middle name is in honor of his grandfather, and also his great-grandfather [whose middle names were also Montgomery] and who are both now in the Presence of Almighty God. Braden's grandfather [Bob] prayed that all of his grandchildren would be "Mighty Warriors in the Kingdom of God" ... even the ones yet unborn.

*****************************************************

Psalm 22

27 All the ends of the earth

will remember and turn to the LORD,

and all the families of the nations

will bow down before Him,
28 for dominion belongs to the LORD

and He rules over the nations.
29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;

all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him—

those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve Him;

future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim His righteousness

to a people yet unborn—

for he has done it. [emphasis mine]

***********************************************

It will be our honor to pass onto Braden the heritage of our faith in Christ - and share with him all that God the Father has done in his family. May his life be one of great victory as he "goes against the flow", upstream - when everyone else is flowing downstream. May he be ever wise in his choices and expectations. May he trust in the One True God - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - the God of the Living. [Mark12:24-27] May he be blessed - and be a blessing to all.

To see pictures of Braden - click on Click here: Rob and Becky's Web and go to Family - then pictures or VIDEO - Braden's Birth [for the latest music video of his birth].

Choosing JOY ... as the 'yet unborn' has be born,

Stephanie

[Trusting God's Heart]

At the CROSS

Matthew 27:22-24

22 "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.

They all answered, "Crucify Him!"
23 "Why? What crime has He committed?" asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify Him!"
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" [emphasis mine]

**********************************************

AT THE CROSS God proved…

His LOVE for me
His GOODNESS to me
His FORGIVENESS of me
His STRENGTH within me

His COMPASSION for me
His GRACE abounding in me
His MERCY on me

His FAITHFULNESS over me

Galatians 6:14

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [emphasis mine]

Choosing JOY at the foot of the CROSS,

Stephanie [TRUSTING GOD'S HEART]

When Out On a Limb

Psalm 46
For the director of music.

Of the Sons of Korah. A song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.

Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Trusting God's Heart]

Love + Forgiveness = GOD

The Bible says that GOD IS LOVE. Do you realize that the connection between love and forgiveness is God Himself? God could not express His love to us without offering part of Himself as the sacrifice in forgiveness. The two are inseparable concepts.

If we are created to be 'conformed to the image of Christ' - then we too must show our love to others by offering our forgiveness when someone has wronged us. We might not feel like forgiving - thinking that a person does not deserve our forgiveness for the wrong they have done to us. But no matter how severe that wrong may be - unforgiveness cannot dwell with the love God desires for each of us to possess and to offer back to another.

Over and over the LORD says to me, "You must offer a person the same compassion, mercy and grace that I have offered to you. When you were neck deep in blatant sin - My only Son, JESUS, died for you!"

1 John 4:7-10

God's Love and Ours

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Matthew 10:8b

Freely you have received, freely give.

1 John 4:19-21

19 We love because He first loved us. 20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Luke 7:46-48

46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." 48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

Numbers 14:19a

In accordance with Your great love, forgive the sin of these people... [all emphasis mine]

God's LOVE in ACTION = FORGIVENESS

We must offer the same to others.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Trusting God's Heart]

Burned - But NOT

Late yesterday I was badly burned [after heating something 3X hotter than the instructions called for]. It splattered on both of my hands but my right hand was the worst on my palm and side of that hand.

I called [more like screamed] out to the LORD who is my HELP. [I had been studying all day - Psalm 124 - a Psalm about God's HELP]. I was in so much pain that when I took the ice off of it I felt like I would pass out - yet in the midst of all of it - I felt God's peace, calm and HIS HELP. He talked me through what I should do.

As I went to bed with my hand all bandaged - the throbbing pain was non-stop. It was hard to find a comfortable place to rest it. But as I read my nightly Bible readings (with my left hand) - praying continually - I felt God's HELP. I finished reading - turned off the light and fell asleep. When I woke this morning - there was no pain - none. The LORD knew I was teaching a class this morning and had to drive (stick shift with my right hand) forty minutes to a different church.

I just now removed the bandage for the first time. My hand is a little wrinkly and there are a few small blisters - but so far nothing major. I burned my hand 20 years ago and it took 3 weeks for the pain to leave and the skin to heal.

The Pastor preached from these verses [below] today at the church where I was teaching a ladies class. God's Word is alive! The [above] were my circumstances - but the Word [below] - is WHO MY GOD IS and what God does ! He spoke personally to me today and this was just one of the many passages in which He revealed Himself.

Isaiah 43 [selected verses]
Israel's Only Savior
1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
He who created you, O Jacob,
He who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; [Stephanie means 'Crown'] you are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,
"and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe Me
and understand that I am He.
Before Me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after Me.
11 I, even I, am the LORD,
and apart from Me there is no savior.
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God. [emphasis mine]

PRAISING HIM ETERNALLY!

Choosing GREAT JOY,

Stephanie
[Trusting God's Heart]

WAITING with PATIENCE...

In my morning prayer time with the LORD each day I've been reading the Psalms along with a new book called The Treasury of God's Virtues. God found it for me at a festival in Townbank last Saturday in the book fair section. It cost me one dollar... now one of the most valuable books I own! This morning I was reading all about PATIENCE. Over and over God has been showing me that "waiting" is connected to my "faith" (I read about FAITH yesterday) AND that in waiting - God desires to build character in us - His character. He is also teaching me that in waiting (patiently) He is preparing me for what I will become. Since we live by faith - we live in the hope of our future - with enough manna and grace for today. It's no wonder He is teaching and preparing me to live out - what I will become. I used to jump in and say, "I see it, LORD, [what He's holding out in front] I'm ready, let's go, let's do it." But now... I see that some things I am not yet ready to take hold of because I must grow into those positions or places that He has for me. He must build character in me first. And with me - that may take a while. How about you?

Romans 5:3-4 NLT
Faith Brings Joy
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance [patience]. 4 And endurance [patience] develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

Then we can say with Job: "Though He slay me, yet will I wait for [trust] Him."

Choosing JOY,


Stephanie
[Trusting God's Heart]

I Stand in AWE and LISTEN

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
Stand in Awe of God
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.
Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools,
who do not know that they do wrong.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. [emphasis mine]

I have been studying the Psalms for over a year now - also just finished reading through Proverbs. Now I'm on to Ecclesiastes in progression as I have combined those two books with the reading of the Psalms. I only take one chapter per day in Ecclesiastes right now - but I was stuck on this short - but profound passage from yesterday's reading in Chapter 5.

"LISTEN" has been a theme that God has been whispering, shouting and hammering home to me over the last 10 months especially. The closer I get to the LORD the more clearly I hear His voice - just as His voice was heard by Samuel, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, David, Paul, John and Peter - just to name a few. It was not unusual for them to hear God's voice - because they knew it was Him when He spoke.

Do WE? Do we know His Voice when He speaks to us? More importantly - do we respond with radical obedience - as Samuel did when he said, "Speak LORD, for Your servant is listening?" [1 Samuel 3:10]

Oh, LORD, make Your Presence and Your Voice known to those who love you!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Trusting God's Heart]

It Begins and Ends with LOVE

1 Corinthians 13 [J.B. Phillips NT]

Christian love - the highest and best gift
1-3 - If I speak with the eloquence of men and of angels, but have no love, I become no more than blaring brass or crashing cymbal. If I have the gift of foretelling the future and hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but the very secrets of God, and if I also have that absolute faith which can move mountains, but have no love, I amount to nothing at all. If I dispose of all that I possess, yes, even if I give my own body to be burned, but have no love, I achieve precisely nothing.
4 - This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience - it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance.
5-6 - Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails.
7-8a - Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen. [emphasis mine]

We are COMMUNITY...
We must show love to community not hide ourselves from it!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie
[Trusting God's Heart]

LAMININ

Colossians 1:15-20
The Supremacy of Christ

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the CROSS. [emphasis mine]

Someone sent me the e-M about LAMININ this week and when I saw the picture from the textbooks that have always been there (unknown to me) - then seeing the actual photo of it under a microscope - just blew me away like it does everyone else who sees it!

What is LAMININ, you ask? It's the GLUE that holds our bodies together.

This is the forth day since my "discovery" of it. God put it there in Creation - always was - always is - and always will be... the fingerprint of the CROSS inside each human being ever formed by our Creator - even those who don't know Christ - have His potential saving blood/cross inside of them - waiting to be discovered, embraced and received!

What an awesome God Who loves us so much.

If you have the potential go download the video by Louie Giglio on LAMININ - please prepare yourself for the explosion of faith that will result: Louie Giglio - Laminin

If you can't download it (like me) click on the link to view the science book versions: http://myworldatlarge.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/laminin.gif

Both will grab your heart for a lifetime - letting the result bring endless PRAISE to our GOD!

May it bless your heart knowing that the very GLUE that holds us together is none other than the blood of the CROSS!!!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie
[Trusting God's Heart]

Never Let Me Let Go

For a few months now I have drawn so close to the LORD that I don't ever want that to change. I know that God will never let go of my hand (or my life) as His promises are sure.

Joshua 1:5, 9
5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." [emphasis mine]

I am not afraid of God letting go of me - I'm afraid that somewhere down the road I'll let go of Him. For about two weeks now I've been begging Him saying, "Never let me - let go of You, Lord."
Today the LORD responded to me and now it is settled! Here are the passages I came to early this morning in my study time.

Luke 10:38-42
Jesus at the home of Martha and Mary
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." [emphasis mine]


See both translations of the same verse below...

Psalm 27:8 [New Living Translation]
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

Psalm 27:8 [Amplified Bible]
You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word]. .....[as written]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie
[Trusting His Heart]

Graze in Peace

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
3 He restores my soul. [emphasis mine]

Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on His law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers. [emphasis mine]

Jeremiah 17: 7-8
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in Him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit." [emphasis mine]

Isaiah 61:3
They [we] will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of His splendor. [emphasis mine]

Let the LORD take you to His green pastures to feed on His Word - to rest in His arms - to know who you are - and most importantly - to know Who He Is!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie
[Listening in Silence - Ends Today]