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The Blessing Jar

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The first part of the year I read a post on FB about a blessing jar and setting one out to give regular thanks to the Lord for His goodness.  I loved the idea and got started with my Mom’s clear glass pitcher. 

I have had gratitude journals and consider myself to be a thankful person yet through this exercise, God has shown me so much more.

His presence, His Love, His tenderness, His goodness, His Faithfulness,

His moving in my midst.

The pitcher is a physical reminder to be thankful and it has helped inspire me to be intentionally thankful.  Not just looking back and being thankful which I think was what I experienced with a gratitude journal. Now, there is the seeing and being thankful in the moment.  I then get to write it down to remember it.  It’s different, it’s knowing He is right there, right there blessing my life.  Even when I don’t understand or struggle with the hard things, being intentionally thankful has changed my lense, changed my perspective.  More and more, my heart says, “If it’s God, I want it.” Joy and sorrow, hard and smooth, if it’s God, I want it. 

He is good, His plans for my life are good just as Psalm 23 tells me.

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

I am imagining that at the end of the year, I will dump the pitcher out on the table and open these 2025 blessings and my heart will be filled with joy in the recalling once again those precious good things the Lord has blessed me with.  In each one, He was there and is here reminding me that I am His precious child, His love and goodness is real, His ways are higher than my ways, and no matter the challenge, He never leaves me or forsakes me.

And the same is true for each of us that believe on His name and seek Him.  We will find Him and see Him and believe what He says is true, because it is.

It started out as just a jar and a plan to be thankful and now…. SO much more!

Trusting Jesus, that is all

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There are many wonderful worship songs new and old, yet today, coming across the hymn #355 “Trusting Jesus” I am so thankful knowing it is just what I needed to speak to my heart in the midst of current life circumstances.

TRUSTING Jesus that is all

Trusting JESUS that is all

Trusting Jesus THAT is all

Trusting Jesus that is ALL

TRUSTING JESUS THAT IS ALL

Full Lyrics:

1. Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain:
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

2. Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

3. Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

4. Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Charity

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There are many opportunities to grow in faith and love for Jesus and others.  Sometimes it starts with understanding a word.

Colossians 3:14, “And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness”. See the whole of Colossians 3, to read verse in context. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203&version=KJV

Looking up the word “Charity” I am thankful for Websters 1828 when word definitions were what they were intended, not what the world has changed or watered them down to.

“Charity – Love, benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow man, and to do them good.”

Good word Charity, let it start with me, that I would be a woman of charity, in my relationships, my marriage, in my family, in my world today. 

Taste and See

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Throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation we can see God’s love and goodness to us.  We can “taste and see”. 

Studying Genesis afresh I consider how God approached Adam and Eve when they believed the enemy instead of Him, when they were already suffering the consequences of their bad choice to believe the enemy, to eat from the tree of good and evil.  Trying to figure out how to clothe themselves and hide from God.  Introduced to new emotions of shame, fear, anxiety.  All avoidable through obedience.

God, did not come to Adam and Eve with wrath or yelling.  But like a loving parent comes in and asks questions, desires them to see their error, come to Him repentant and sorry.  Yet, they like us, so often, don’t want to talk with God about what we have done or are doing, so we ignore it, hide, distract ourselves.  Then we justify, compare with others, make excuses and place blame.  All the while God is there loving us having so much more for us.  I believe desiring us to come to Him repentant, sorry, acknowledging our error. Seeing that His ways are good, making it right, then walking in His ways not our own.  Tasting and seeing that He is good.

The more time spent in God’s word, experiencing truth revealed, it is His love that overwhelms me.  His patient, forgiving, eternal love for me Cindy Day who has too often found myself not pleasing Him, not tasting His goodness but pleasing myself and suffering the consequences. 

How is it that I, we ever let ourselves believe the lies, that we ever want to be outside the loving boundaries God has set for us.  Let us instead hold tight to the Lord and His ways, tasting and seeing that He is good.

Willing or Eager

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Reading today from “Coach Wooden One on One” he shared his definition of Team Spirit as, “A willingness to lose oneself in the group for the good of the whole” yet he realized something was missing.  He modified the definition by one word better representing the definition and intent.  Team Spirit, “An eagerness to lose oneself in the group for the good of the whole”

He stated, if we are willing to do something it doesn’t necessarily mean we want to.  On the other hand if we eagerly want do a task, our earnestness will show.  We are going to work hard, take extra care and put in overtime.

This really hit me between the eyes and heart.  Immediately, I was forced to consider, am I always “eager” to do the Lord’s work, eager to read my bible & hear His words, eager to be His hands and feet, eager to pray?  Am I?  I can say at times yes, I am eager yet, unfortunately, there are other times my heart is only willing. 

Why though?  Why at times am I not eager, not eager to spend time in dedicated, travailing prayer for example.  Considering this, I know I must be truthful, even vulnerable with the Lord. I have to stop doing the temporary things and get after the eternal.  I must repent of my sins and honestly desire His will in things, not my own.  His Kingdom come, His will be done. Yet too many times I see I am pursuing my will, my to do list, my comfort, my ideas.  Just what the enemy wants me to be doing.  Yet, the Lord calls me to be about His business. His eternal business.  Dying to myself is more than being a willing vessel for the Lord, it is being an EAGER vessel for the Lord.  An Eager, fruitful vessel, pleasing Him and not myself.  For His glory. 

Thank You Jesus for this revelation, for Your word that speaks to my heart!  Please forgive me Lord for the times my heart has been in just a willing state vs an eager state.  I see now that there are times my selfishness and self-serving ways have crept in demanding attention, reducing the output of my life on Your behalf.  How I have at times settled for willing and missed the opportunity and the joy in wanting to, in being eager.  Eager to be in your word, Eager to do your will, Eager to come before your throne of grace.  Eager to be in service to You, my King.  Help me Lord to recognize when my selfishness kicks in and my heart falls from eager to only willing and to repent, and start a fresh EAGER in You and for You.  You deserve nothing less.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Let us encourage one another in the honor and privilege we have in serving the King of Kings.  Let us be eager in the Lord’s business.  Expectant and excited for what He has called us to and will do in and through it.

Additional references

Websters 1828 Definition of Eager (adjective)

1. Excited by ardent desire in the pursuit of any object; ardent to pursue, perform or obtain; inflamed by desire; ardently wishing or longing. The soldiers were eager to engage the enemy. Men are eager in the pursuit of wealth. The lover is eager to possess the object of his affections.

References from God’s word (shared by Coach Wooden)

  • Psalm 105:1, Psalm 62:8
  • Matthew 6:7-13
  • Romans 12:12
  • Ephesians 1:15-23 and Ephesians 6:10-20
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Get To

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Overwhelmed THIS day with the “Get To’s” in my life.  And these are just SOME of the highlights, so many details, so much to be thankful for.

Thank YOU LORD that WE GET TO

We get to be LOVED by You and walk in Your Love

We get to Love You and Love others in Your Name

We get to be a part of Your Kingdom work on earth

We get to experience You and Your Peace

We get to be in Service to the King of Kings AND

We get to see You

  • See You transform hearts and minds and lives
  • See You move in our lives in ways we could not have hoped or imagined
  • See You move in our community, bringing light and hope
  • See You in Your beautiful creation all around us
  • See You draw people to Yourself and come to the saving knowledge of You, the Lord Jesus Christ
  • See You in lives restored and relationships mended
  • See You in bodies healed and faith built up

We get to be used by You, Christ in us, the Hope of Glory

We get to live a life filled with You!  Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

We get to be Your hands and feet, a work that is of You and for You. 

We get to walk with You and talk with You the God of ALL creation

We get YOU; our God, our Love, our Life. JOY unspeakable and FULL of GLORY!

More than words can express, we thank You JESUS!!

God’s Word and Psalm 119

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Reading Psalm 119 in the King James version (KJV) of the bible today and struck afresh by the richness and power of God’s word.  For the last several years (8) I have been reading in the New King James version (NKJV) grabbing the New Living Translation (NLT) or the New International Version (NIV) to help with my understanding.  Before the NKJV, my version of choice was the NIV (appx. 30 yrs).  I remember being challenged by a pastor and trainer to read the NKJV. I recall my initial resistance, then struggle of the change, yet very shortly found myself awed afresh by the power and truth of God’s word.  I would refer to different versions to help with my understanding, yet soon I just fell in love with God’s Word all over again reading the NKJV.  My husband and some friends who also changed it up, experienced the same. I have been in the NKJV ever since. UNTIL….

Recently my Nephew Mike Day’s strong encouragement regarding the King James version (KJV) has caused me to pick up the KJV and WOW!  God has blessed me yet again with a fresh perspective and awe of Himeself and His Word.  I find it has really enriched my time with the Lord.  Sometimes it is very small. Example, from my reading today in Psalms 119,

  • 119:18 (NIV) Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your Law
  • 119:18 (NKJV), Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
  • 119:18 (KJV), Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wonderous things out of Thy law.

A small difference yet somehow God uses it to cause me linger, to search, to enjoy afresh. So thankful to the Lord for this blessing. Another example:

Psalm 119:2 (NIV) “Psalm 119:2 (KJV) “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart”

Psalm 119:2 (NLT) “Happy are all who search for God and always do His will,”

I am still getting familiar with the KJV and need a little help from other versions periodically, but just loving this renewed awe and joy in the Word of my God.  If you have read through the Word of God more than a few times consider picking up a different translation, maybe even the King James and be refreshed in your soul.  Our God is amazing and good, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, but us, He is transforming day by day into His image.  How wonderful that He always has more for us! AND we don’t want to miss out on one good thing He has for us.  We are indeed “blessed when we keep His testimonies and seek Him with our whole heart!”

God's Word

Give us a heart that seeks after You Lord,

Cindy

God’s Good Gifts

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I have always loved getting presents, big and small, they always make me feel special, especially when the giver knows what I love. I must get this from my Mom, she loved getting presents too. Of course, it is just as exciting to give presents especially when you find just the thing they will love.

I believe the Lord has been showing me that people are presents and SO much better than anything material I could recieve. And He knows just what I love, even when I don’t know it yet.

This week we (husband Jim and I) recieved exceedingly abundently more for Pastor’s Appreciation. We were overwhelmed at God’s goodness through them in cards, kind words and gifts. Taking all this in to our hearts, the gifts so appreciated, just pointed us to the bigger gift. Them! The precious people God has put in our lives and how we already have the best gifts from God Himself in each and every one of them. Only God.

Only God and His love for us, for me. Me in and of myself am selfish and self serving but in Him, I have a bigger, better purpose. It is truly a miracle of God how He transforms us. Saves us from ourselves! We confess Jesus as Lord, repent of our sins, He forgives us in His mighty grace, gives us His righteousness which reconciles us to God the Father. THEN as we look to Jesus, he does it! He changes us, makes us new, a better version of ourselves emerges as we look to Him in all things.

He has a better way, we get the further blessing of walking in Him, being made in His image, learning from Him and His Word, keeping His statutes and over time, bit by bit, we are transformed by the living God. More than we could hope or imagine when we don’t even recognize ourselves as who we once were. THAT is a good, good gift from our good God.

How wonderful, how marvelous is my Savior’s love for me.

My Banner

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Driving into town on a beautiful Fall day last week I was struck by the beauty of the large US flag waving high at a local truck stop.  I was touched and thankful.  It stirred my heart to consider how blessed I am to live in the USA and thankful for the men and women who have serve(d) our country.  How beautiful the flag is waving.  I could not help but bust out singing the Star Bangled banner and got all teary eyed. 

I then began to notice the other flags in town and the feeling of thankfulness stayed with me.   I have driven to town many times and did not give the flags much thought but today was different.  I thank the Lord for bringing the flag and the symbolism to my attention, reminding me of His goodness, our land of Liberty and the blessing of being an American (regardless of our current climate and challenges). 

The Lord reminded me that while the American Flag is beautiful and can move me to thankfulness, He is the “flag” that waves over my life.  Mighty and Strong.  He is my Standard, my Freedom, my Trust.  The Lord is my Banner (Jehovah Nissi).

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, [f]The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; Exodus 17:14-15

You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth. That your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand and hear me.  Psalm 60:4-5 (NKJV)

I think of the truth of God, His Spirit living in me.  The opportunity every day to wave His Banner high, live out a faith beyond myself.  Of course, NOT I that lives but Christ that lives in me.

Thankful THIS day that The LORD is my Banner!

#KingJesus, #JehovahNissi, #JesusMyBanner

New Every Morning

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I recently discovered and so enjoy poems by Annie Johnson Flint. Drawn from the Word of God they speak to my heart.

New Every Morning

Yea, “new every morning” though we may awake

Our hearts with old sorrows beginning to ache;

With old work unfinished when night stayed our hand,

With new duties waiting, unknown and unplanned;

With old care still pressing, to fret and to vex,

With new problems rising, our minds to perplex;

In ways long familiar, in paths yet untrod,

Oh, new every morning the mercies of God!

His faithfulness fails not; it meets each new day

With guidance for every new step of the way;

New grace for new trials, new trust for old fears,

New patience for hearing the wrongs of the years,

New strength for new burdens, new courage for old,

New faith for whatever the day may unfold;

As fresh for each need as the dew on the sod;

Oh, new every morning are the mercies of God!

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 (Lam 3:22-23).  Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and they faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds (Psalm 36:5)