Inspired by . . . law and peace

I've had this scripture from Psalm 119 come up several times in my reading this past week. When God does that, I try to pay attention.

We all want peace. We all want to walk through this life without stumbling. [click to tweet]

This promise from God's word tells us how to achieve peace and how to be protected from those things that will cause us to stumble.

But do we really love God's law?  We want to. But it's not easy, is it?
Following His law can be inconvenient and downright painful at times.

We fail repeatedly and we forget about His grace.

The key for me in this verse is in what it instructs us to do: love God's law

Following, and obeying His law will come.

It has to begin with love.

So how do we get there? Loving a set of rules has never come naturally for me. You?

It starts with knowing His law.

We have to know what God's law says. Reading the totality of His word, not just the ten commandments, and letting it speak to your life. God's word is filled with His precepts, direction on how to live.

Psalm 119:45 says, "I walk in freedom wherever I will, because I have studied your precepts."  

Then we have to begin living His law.

Again, this doesn't come naturally. We should daily preach to ourselves the Gospel of grace, for we will fail. But eventually, His law will become ingrained in the habits and responses of our everyday life. Psalm 119:54 says, "Your statutes are the theme of my song throughout my earthly life."

Finally, the path to loving God's law is paved with trust.

Much of the time our lives don't resemble the reality of His promises. We must trust, by faith - - believing that He will do what He says He will do. [click to tweet]

Psalm 145:9 says, "The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made." And Romans 8:32, "He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?"

Knowing, living and trusting will lead to truly loving God's law because these things will lead you to love HIM. Then you will be able to lift your voice with the psalmist and declare:

"Come, listen, all who fear God,

and I shall tell you what He has done

for me;

I lifted up my voice in prayer,

His praise was on my tongue.

If I had cherished evil thoughts,

the Lord would not have listened;

but in truth, God did listen

and paid heed to my plea.

Blessed is God

Who has not withdrawn from me His

love and care." Psalm 66:16-20

Shalom,

Sharing inspiration here:
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Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
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Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement
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Inspired by . . . an announcement

In all the busyness of the holidays, I forgot to let you all know that No Tomorrow has finally been released in paperback!

It is available for purchase on Amazon. Or, if you would like a signed copy, send me an email with your shipping information.

If anyone is interested in receiving a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review posted on your blog (if you have one) or Amazon, send me an email with your shipping information.

Just as Petra and Tony learn to trust God with their future, I pray that this is something we can all do with more consistency in 2017!

Thank you to all who read, comment and support the ministry of Inspired By . . .

With Appreciation,

Sharing inspiration here:
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Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
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Inspired by . . . come thirsty

How are you feeling today? 

Is your spirit full? Are you walking forth in JOY, believing in His promises?

If that's you, then join me in a fist-bump and shout of Hallelujah! His promises are true and His grace makes the path easier to walk.

But maybe that's not you. Perhaps His grace seems a bit distant and your feet feel more like blocks of clay. Your spirit faints within you and it's hard to believe His promises in light of the world's current circumstances.

Does your soul long for rest? Do you desire to be made new?

Come.

Drink of the Living Water.

Your Father knows what you need. Trust Him.

Don't allow the things of this world to cloud the Truth. Do not be afraid.

Trust in the One Who created the universe. Who gathers your tears in a bottle.

The One Who holds you in the palm of His hand.

And will never let you go.

Shalom,

Sharing inspiration here:
Small Wonders, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Let Us Walk Worthy,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty

Inspired by . . . watch, wait, obey

Some of us will live, work, play and die in the same town in which we were born. Others of us will move once, maybe twice, in our lifetime. Still others will move often, maybe yearly, never really settling down until age makes the decision for us. 

Some of us are given our marching orders, while others of us choose when, where and how long to go or stay.

The Israelites didn't have that option. The book of Numbers records their travels from Egypt to the borders of the Promise Land. The very presence of God determined when they would stop, go or stay.

At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses. (Num 9:23)

They could see God's presence in the form of a cloud over the tabernacle. When the cloud lifted, that was their cue to pick up and move. When the cloud descended they were to stop and set up camp.

They never knew when the cloud would move. They had to watch, wait and obey. I can only imagine the grumbling. 

"This place is hot and we have to walk for miles to find water for the animals. Why can't we move on, already?"

"We've been walking for days. This looks like a peaceful valley, why can't we stop here?"

"Why do we have to move? I like it here. It's comfortable and shady, with plenty of water for the animals."

It must have seemed pointless at times. Moving to a place, painstakingly setting up the camp according to God's specific instructions. Only to take it all down and move again. But God had a purpose in all that He was doing with the Israelites. He was teaching them a way of living that would govern them for hundreds of years. He was slowly, but steadily moving them toward, and preparing them for, the Promise Land.

God's still doing the same for His children today. Right now, in your life, no matter where He's keeping you or sending you, you can be assured that He has a purpose.

We don't see God's physical presence like the Israelites did, but He has given us something better! Himself, His Holy Spirit, alive within us! And by His Spirit He leads us, just as He led the Israelites.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Rom 8:14)

God goes before us, and directs our steps.

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." (Deu 31:8)

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isa 30:21)

These are important truths to remember when we're tempted to grumble. I've been tempted to grumble a bit lately. My Dreamer and I recently made the decision to move out of our little cottage before our new home is ready to be built. It means we'll be displaced for a bit while we're waiting for the next temporary cottage to be available. But someone else needs the cottage more than we do. The decision wasn't a difficult one, but I'm finding it hard to let go.

You see, this cottage welcomed me and gave me a safe place to grieve during a very difficult time in my life. After another move I never expected. It was the first home for my Dreamer and I . . . it holds a special place in our hearts.

God's saying it's time to move. And just like the Israelites, He's moving us one step closer to the Promise Land.

I hope I've learned a lesson from the Israelites. They failed to trust God and ended up wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. I want to be counted with those who trusted and obeyed.

Are you trusting God for your Promise Land?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
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Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Let Us Walk Worthy,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
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Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends; Faith Filled Friday

Inspired by . . . Psalm 127

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psa 127:1-5)

I've been meditating on this psalm all week. I'll be honest with you, I wanted to skip this one. I mean, who am I, a mother-of-none, to expound on a psalm that is more than half about children?

But God wouldn't let it go. In fact, He reminded me of a few things. And so, here I am, fumbling around for the right words. Perhaps in my weakness, you'll find that a few of the words will bless and inspire you. That's always my prayer.

You see, as God often reminds me, His ways are not our ways. He doesn't always see things the way we do. Our view, especially our cultural view, is often at odds with God's purpose and plan.

And that's really what Psalm 127 is all about. It's a warning about putting your confidence in worldly cares, rather than depending upon God. 

The house you build, whether it's your family, your business, your relationships, none will prosper without the Lord.  Oh, they may appear to prosper, but without the Lord all these things are just white washed tombs. Pretty on the outside, but dead inside.

This world is becoming an increasingly scary place. It's natural to want to "set a watchman" to guard our borders, to guard our homes and families. But the truth is, without God's protection, nothing we do will ultimately protect us.

The Lord is better than an army of sleepless guards.

However, it's equally important to note that the Psalmist doesn't tell the builder to stop building, or suggest that the watchman neglect his duty. God expects us to do all we can with what we have been given.The point here is not to trust in what we do, but rather to trust in the Lord.

Amen?

Despite my earlier comments, I really do love verses 3-5! The family unit, as God planned it, is a beautiful picture of His love and care for us and the church. Children should be viewed as a blessing, not a burden. The more children, the more trials? Perhaps. But when these are met with faith, JOY multiplies.

For what are you working or striving? if not for the future - the children. Who will help you in your later years? Your children will be there to protect and provide for you.

As with all good things the Lord has given us, the enemy has worked hard to pervert and destroy it. It was a common belief in biblical times, and some still believe today, that being barren is a curse, or evidence of God's displeasure. 

Let me stress, this is man's view - not God's. Examine the scriptures for yourself. You will see that the barren women in the bible were greatly loved, and greatly used by God.

The enemy has done a pretty good job of tearing apart families in this country. I don't need to cite the statistics for you, the evidence is all around us. We have trusted in the things of this world, rather than God, and we are reaping the reward.

But we are never without hope. God is on our side, and the victory is already won. With Jesus we have victory over fear, victory over broken relationships, and victory over sin!

Go forth in the strength of His mighty love and power today.

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
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Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 12:52

It's officially Spring! {in the northern hemisphere anyway}

You may have noticed a change in animal behavior around your house. No, I'm not talking about your human-animals. Although spring break does tend to produce some strange behavior.

Around my house the birds, more than anything else, announce the change of season. There is a lot of chattering, singing and chasing going on!

It's nesting season!

The black-crested titmice have been the most active so far this year - - I have several pairs flitting about. 

One couple decided to build a nest in one of the new fence posts we recently set up in the front yard. {new fence coming soon!}

He and his mate were enjoyable to watch, but I knew after last year's chickadee nest fail, I couldn't let the building continue. The pipes are just too narrow inside, and the babies can't get out when it's time to fledge.

After first making sure there were no eggs in the nest, I placed a cup over the top of the pipe. Imagine the little guy's surprise when he returned! There was quite a lot of chatter between he and his mate, to be sure!

Talking about birds and their nests always brings to mind the passage from Luke 9:

And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." (Luk 9:58)

Here, Jesus is speaking of His poverty and lack of dignity in the world's eyes. He is warning those who follow Him to expect the same. As believers, we must be prepared to follow Him, no matter where the path leads.

The titmouse's nesting attempt reminds me of something else too: God's sovereignty. These sweet little birds were doing exactly what they were suppose to be doing, building a home in which to start a new family. But something stopped them. They don't understand what, who or why. 

It's like that for us sometimes, too. We're moving through life, doing good things, with good intentions. Then, suddenly, our life is thrown off track, and we don't understand why. Understanding may come eventually or, like the titmice, we may never understand. 

Either way, we have a choice.

We can choose to believe the truth, that God is good - all.the.time. or we can doubt His goodness, and believe Him to be a liar. It's really quiet simple, we either trust God, or we don't.

What about you? What are some of the things that might derail your faith? Or perhaps your life has already been derailed. I encourage you to decide now to trust in Him, no matter what may happen or how your current situation may unfold.

Take time to dive into the scriptures this week. Meet Jesus right where He is, on the streets of Jerusalem, preparing to die for your sins. Any one of the four gospels will give an account, but if you want to follow Jesus day by day you may start in Mark 11.

Or, if you prefer, there are several online sources that will walk you through. 

Bible Gateway - Journey to Easter

You Version - Lent & Easter Reading Plans

Meet with Jesus this week. You will discover that He is a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Can you relate? 

You'll find that Jesus can relate to you.

Shalom,

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Inspired by . . . Thoughts on Faith Vol. II

 

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that He went into a ship with His disciples: and He said unto them,

Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

But as they sailed He fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake;

and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

And they came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, Master, Master, we perish.

Then He arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water:

and they ceased, and there was a calm.

And He said unto them, Where is your faith?  Luk 8:22-25

 

 

It was a gentle rebuke, I think, that Jesus gave the disciples here, “Where is your faith?”

After all, He had just displayed His power and authority over the wind and the sea. Surely He knew that that would terrify them more than the storm itself.

 

And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another,

What manner of Man is this!

for He commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey Him.  Luk 8:25

 

 

Can you imagine this scene? Many of the disciples were fishermen. They had fished this lake all their lives. For them to say, “we perish!” it must have been quite a storm indeed! Why shouldn’t they have been afraid? What did Jesus expect them to do?

I think He expected them to do the same thing He expects us to do when the storms rage, and the boat fills with water, and we feel like we’re perishing. When we feel like we can’t take one more trial, one more hurtful comment, one more failure, one more mistake.

He expects us to:

 

Believe.

 

In Him.

In His promises.

In His Power.

In His Provision.

How do we do this?

 

 

To begin with, you may want to ask yourself: Is Jesus is even on my boat? Do I believe in Him?

And if He is curled up at the stern, sleeping peacefully as you look around at the chaos of your life, ask yourself, do you trust Him to do what He says He will do? Have you read His word, so that you know what He said He would do? And do you believe He has the power to do it?

If so, how will you act on that belief? Do we wake Jesus, like His disciples did, in a panic. Whining about the circumstances, screaming for Him to do something to fix it? {I confess, I do this often}

Or do we trust that He Himself is our portion. Our Provision.

Instead of panic, what if we curled up beside Him, under the shelter of His wing, and waited for Him to act?

 

 

Would He rebuke us then? Or might He say, "My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your trouble." Mark 5:34

Yes, He might say that, but He could also say, "My grace is all you need, for My power is greatest when you are weak." 2Co 12:9

And if that is the case, may we, like Paul respond, “I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.”

 

 

Lord, we pray, increase our faith!

Going deeper,

June

 

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Inspired by . . . the rhythm of the rain

On Monday, Laura was writing about kids grumbling because of one less hour of sleep.  I wasn’t grumbling about that, but I hadn’t been too keen on waking to another grey day and rain. The rest of Laura’s post convicted me and I realized that my recent attitude about the weather had been raining on my JOY parade.

I needed to stop the sin of discontentment that was eroding my JOY. I needed to get into the rhythm of the rain.

 

 

Sin. I know it’s not a word that any of us like to use when referring to our own behavior. But there it is. Call it what you like, but I know in my spirit that my grumblings and discontentment about the weather is sin. Plain.and.simple.

C.H. Spurgeon warned of thinking lightly of sin. And during this time of Lent when there is an added focus on self-examination, we might be tempted to say, “Is it not a little one?”

Do not the little foxes spoil the grapes?

Will not continual drippings wear away stones?

 

 

Sometimes we know what we are doing, or that the attitude we have is wrong, but need some added incentive to do something about it. We may even confess our sin, but not be repentant {turn away and go in the other direction}. I mean, why shouldn’t I be grumpy about the rain? It’s producing gobs of mud, washing out our roads, keeping me inside these four walls, the list of excuses goes on.

Keith Potter says, “our confession will be thin and hollow unless we understand how great and holy God is. We are forever underestimating the seriousness of sin and its effects, making us unlike God and unfit for His good fellowship.”

 

 

How do we understand how great and holy God is? By reading His word.

This rain, it has a rhythm, just like everything else in life. And if I want to be in the right rhythm with the rain, and with God, I need to know and understand what God’s word says.

So what does God’s word say about rain?

 

 

Except for the flood, which was clearly not a good thing for those living on earth at the time, nearly every reference to God sending the rain is a blessing.

A blessing.

After reading through over 100 verses about rain I was feeling just a little bit of what Job must have felt when God spoke to him out of the whirlwind.

Who are you to question my wisdom with your ignorant, empty words?

Now stand up straight and answer the questions I ask you.

Were you there when I made the world? If you know so much, tell me about it. Job 38:2-4

 

Here’s the deal, it doesn’t matter if I see the rain as a blessing or not. God doesn’t make mistakes.

I want to be humble enough, patient enough, and faithful enough to trust Him.

 

 

Rain or shine, cold air or warm, grey skies or blue.

How about you?

 

Blessings,

June

 

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Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 11:52

While most of the country is shoulder-deep snow, we’ve been sloshing and sliding about in rain, mud and ICE. As far as that goes, I think I prefer the snow, although both can be equally beautiful.

 

 

 

I wonder if the air plants can breathe when they’re covered in ice? I’ve felt like thin sheets have been covering my lungs these past weeks. Cold, sun-less days weigh heavily on my spirit. I force myself to go out in the cold, seeking beauty. Seeking Him.

 

ice crystals textured with kk_poetic exclusion blend mode

 

I know a lot of what I’m feeling is the grief, but still, the weather hasn’t helped. But God’s been calling me.

A gentle whisper, deep in my soul.

Mary Geisen describes it perfectly in her Weekend Brew post, “A low whisper that floats in on the wings of morning.”

He’s reminding me that He can be found inside these four walls, too. He’s here in the face of an orchid, still blooming after a month of grief.  His voice calls me to turn off the world and shelter with Him.

 

 

As much as I want to think I need the warmth of the sun and the wide spaces of nature to nourish my soul, He’s reminding me that the Son is always with me. Inside these four walls where the grey light filters in from a sunless day, in the darkness of my grief - - the Son is here.

 

The city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God shines on it, and the Lamb is its lamp. (Rev 21:23)

 

I know He’s calling me to a deeper trust, a deeper faith. My hesitancy comes from knowing that the deepening doesn’t come without scars.

 

Ice Crystals textured with kk_littlethings exclusion blend mode

 

 But experience and His word remind me I can trust Him with my scars, because He first bore scars for me. That’s a hard concept to wrap my mind around sometimes. What He did for me. For you.

But it’s real, it’s true and it deserves a response.

 

So that’s my world and my

lens this week - what’s yours?

 

Going deeper,

June

 

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