God’s Word is a Blessing

 

If you’ve read my blog for any period of time, you know that I have verses of Scripture all over the walls of my home. I have note cards with passages at hand and I even have a set of Scripture cards that created several years ago.

 

DSC02392mAnd just this week I added a new Bible to my Bible section on my book shelf (I have lots more to share about this Bible, but it will have to wait for another post). I love God’s Word!

 

Why? Because God intended for His Word to:

 

  • keep us steadfast (Psalm 119:5)
  • keep us from sinning (Psalm 119:11)
  • find delight (Psalm 119:26)
  • open our eyes (Psalm 119:18)
  • help us remember all that He has done (Psalm 119:27)
  • strengthen us (Psalm 119:28)
  • teach us (Psalm 119:33)
  • direct our paths (Psalm 119:35)
  • keep our eyes focused on things He values (Psalm 119:37)
  • preserve our lives (Psalm 119:37)
  • remind us of His promises (Psalm 119:41)
  • give us hope (Psalm 119:43)
  • offer freedom (Psalm 119:45)
  • comfort us when we are suffering (Psalm 119:50)
  • provide a theme for our song (Psalm 119:54)
  • keep us from going astray (Psalm 119:67)
  • be precious (Psalm 119:72)
  • give understanding (Psalm 119:73)
  • meditate upon (Psalm 119:78)
  • show us what is trustworthy (Psalm 119:86)
  • be eternal and stand firm (Psalm 119:89)
  • make us wise (Psalm 119:98)
  • keep our feet from every evil path (Psalm 119:101)
  • be sweet (Psalm 119:103)
  • light and guide our feet (Psalm 119:105)
  • provide stability (Psalm 119:113)
  • protect (Psalm 119:114)
  • uphold (Psalm 119:117)
  • remove fear (Psalm 119:120)
  • give discernment (Psalm 119:125)
  • help us understand every wrong path (Psalm 119:128)
  • redeem (Psalm 119:134)
  • provide meditation (Psalm 119:148)
  • preserve life (Psalm 119:149)
  • follow our entire lives (Psalm 119:152)
  • show us His compassion (Psalm 119:156)
  • point us to truth (Psalm 119:160)
  • bring joy (Psalm 119:162)
  • provide peace (Psalm 119:165)
  • teach us to wait (Psalm 119:166)
  • sustain (Psalm 119:175)

 

That is a long list why I love God’s Word. And this is just from one chapter of Scripture! When we are students and studiers of God’s Word, He will lead and direct us to passages that will help us throughout our day. Positive words. Encouraging words. Thought-provoking words. Convicting words. How blessed we are by having a Bible nearby.

 

If you haven’t thought of the benefits of God’s Word recently, perhaps a little perusing of Psalm 119 will remind you of what God has provided. I am reminded of another passage that David wrote. Psalm 103:2 (NIV) says, “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

 

That’s my goal today. To remember all that God has done for me through His Word. Maybe you can do the same?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Just a Dream

 

I woke this morning a little disturbed. I had a bad dream where I couldn’t remember something that had just been told to me. In my dream I was frustrated. I was anxious. I was disappointed. Thankfully, this really was a dream.

 

Daytona Beach 014mSo this morning I’ve been a little blah. It was a dream. It didn’t happen. But oh it seemed so real!

 

Well, I have been struggling to remember a name for the past few days. I was frustrated. I was disappointed that I couldn’t remember. What was causing this lapse in memory?

 

Who knows? But I do know a few things.

 

One

I’m not alone. God is always with me. Immanuel! I have God’s Holy Spirit within me to help me recall all that Jesus has taught me. I am so thankful for that!

 

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26 – NIV)

 

Two

It didn’t really matter. Now, if I start forgetting the important things in life (like number one), maybe then I’ll let it get me down.

 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34 – NIV)

 

Three

The joy I have in the Lord is where my strength comes from. Today I may not be able to remember a name, but I know and will always remember that I have joy in my heart because of Jesus!

 

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10b – NIV)

 

Now I do know more than these three things, but these three came to mind in relation to my dream last night. I pray that you hold tightly to what you know. Don’t allow the things of this world to get in the way of what God is doing in your life and in others. Remember what know. And then, trust in God for all that you need in this life.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Joyful! Joyful!

 

As you recall, I have been participating in a beautiful movement ministry, Praise in Motion. These few moments each week have been such a blessing to me and by the size of our class, obviously to others as well.

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERADuring this time of movement, mind, body and Spirit are used to connect with God and praise Him through our motion and stillness. Most of the time, it is developing our relationship with God. One on one with Him.

 

However, this past week, we interacted with other members of the group. I don’t know what it’s called, but we reached out our hands, connected with the next person and moved throughout the room. Hand in hand. Moving from one person to the next, we skipped round and round.

 

This is what I found to be exciting. We were all laughing. Everyone was smiling. This was a moment when we moved from our own cocoon of worship to corporate worship. And let me tell you, it was fun! It was uplifting! It was inspiring! It was joyful!

 

I know that corporate worship is filled with all types of music, moods and purposeful elements. But the fun stuff is encouraging. Seeing fellow believers having fun in worship will always put a smile on my face. It brings joy to my soul!

 

Think about King David from 2 Samuel 6. The Ark of the Covenant was entering the city of David and King David “danced before the Lord with all his might…” (2 Samuel 6:14 – NIV) David was filled with joy and he was expressing his joy through movement. And others saw him!

 

Another example of joyful worship and movement can be found in Acts 3. Peter and John were heading to the temple to pray. Along the way they met a crippled beggar who asked for some money. Peter said they had no silver or gold to give him, but what they had was even better. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6 – NIV) The lame man did more than walk. He was walking and jumping and praising God! (Acts 3:8) Again, others saw him!

 

When we allow our minds, bodies and Spirits to worship Jesus, joy will in the midst of our worship. Joy will be seen on our faces. Joy will permeate the space where we are.

 

Now I can guarantee there will probably be people who are not happy. David’s wife Michal despised him for his leaping and dancing before the Lord. David didn’t back down. He was determined to celebrate before the Lord…regardless of what others thought (2 Samuel 6:21-22). Oh, it is no wonder there are so many worshipful Psalms from King David.

 

Worship and praise of Jesus can be personal. It can be corporate. But it must be joyful. I pray that you will find a way to bring joy to your worship time. Whether it’s through stillness or movement, I pray that it will be filled with joy.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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The Armor of God – Word of God Wednesday

 

I am a huge fan of Priscilla Shirer. She is an inspired biblical teacher who has a great amount of insight into God’s Word.

 

Armor of GodI was thrilled when I heard that she had written a new study on the Armor of God that would be released on August 1. Folks, I put it on my calendar! I didn’t want to miss it!

 

Then, Ms. Shirer’s launch team sent out a request to help with getting the word out. I actually had to fill out an application to do this. And guess what? I was chosen! Yes, me. Little Full Measure of Joy girl was asked to help get this information out to my followers.

 

So today, as part of my Word of God Wednesday, read through the passage on the Armor of God and then find a group in your area who will be doing the Armor of God study. You won’t want to miss this one!

 

“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:13-18 – NIV)

 

#ArmorOfGodStudy

This is where you’ll want to go to learn more about The Armor of God study by Priscilla Shirer. bit.ly/AOGLaunch

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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What I Missed

 

Wow! Have I been busy! But I must say that this busyness has been super fulfilling. I’ve met with lots and lots of ladies in ministry. I’ve made connections with Bible study leaders and I’ve been re-energized with a great sense of purpose in my life.

 

DSC_0493But yesterday afternoon, as my husband and I were out and about, I remembered one lovely lady that I hadn’t touched base with. My heart sank. I thought I was doing so well, and yet, here was one that I missed.

 

Maybe you’ve experienced this in the past. You missed a friend’s birthday. You forgot to pay a bill. You didn’t make the appointment when you should. You overlooked something important. Why? Probably because of busyness.

 

I read this verse of Scripture this morning as a reminder to me that I really can’t do this work of God on my own. I’ll make mistakes. I’ll miss the connections. I’ll do my part to mess it up. But with God at the forefront of my day-to-day life, He will help me when I need it most.

 

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 – NIV)

 

What a beautiful promise! God is able—I’m not. God will provide—I can’t. God knows—I don’t. God works—I follow.

 

God’s work is important, but when the busyness of His work keeps us from really doing His work, then the busyness needs to stop. This is really easy to do when doing full-time ministry.

 

There are a lot of to-do items on my list today, but top and center will be to connect with Karen. Who is it that you need to connect with today? Who needs to hear from you? Don’t let your busyness get in the way to making the important connections.

 

Keep the verse above in front of you this week. If you’re like me, you’ll need to be reminded more than once!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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