Be Still My Soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

What a beautiful song. Why do we suffer so needlessly when we have a Heavenly Father on our side who will carry us all the way from here to eternity. How little we value the LOVE of GOD and it’s endless worth. I am so thankful that the LORD is showing through all of my trials in life, that the only thing that matters is that HE loves me and HE wants me to trust HIM with all of my being. I’m learning…it’s a slow process but I’m learning. There’s seems to be daily trials and moment by moment issues that try our faith. Sometimes big and sometimes small. There are also those little nipping ankle biters that seem to go along nagging at the coat tails of our patients. But I am learning to Be Still and know that GOD is GOD all by HIMSELF and HE does not need my help to solve my problems. HE requires my obedience to prayerfully make the right choices.
I can not say that all of my choices are perfect, but I will say that the choices I make always have a consciousness towards GOD whether good or bad, the LORD is on my mind. I am so grateful that the LORD loves me so much that HE will not allow me to sin without rebuke, and not trusting HIM in my darkest hours is sin. King David recorded his thoughts on this matter in Psalm 77:7-10:

7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

David asks all of these questions to himself and in pain he knows the answers. This was David’s infirmity, not having the experience of these blessings at that moment and he knows that his salvation is only going to come from the LORD. But David goes on to say, “but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. Can we say that today? In our darkest hour or even our dimmest day, that even though I don’t see the redemption of the LORD, I know that it is nigh, and I will remember the right hand of the MOST HIGH.
I leave you with 1 Peter 5:10 :

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

I pray that today you walk in the GRACE of GOD. AMEN

The Fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom

'The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."

Proverbs 15:33

Did you know that a soft answer will turn away wrath? Did you know that correction is grievous to a person that is forsaking the way of GOD? How about, a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance or a word spoken in due season is good! All of these and so many more instructions for a successful life can be found in this short 33 verse proverb. I have been reading a Proverb a day for several years but this year, I have done it off and on, so when I read Proverbs 15 this week, it was if I had read it for the first time. If we could only live as the LORD commands, we could have such rich and free lives. If you haven’t read Proverbs 15 lately I would encourage you to read this Proverb TODAY!!! The Proverb tells us everything to do that our carnal nature would rather us not do, such as: Giving a soft answer in an angry situation, and you may ask, “why would I want to do that…I’m mad!!” well because, soft answers turn away wrath and grievous words or words of contention, stir up anger. GOD’s word is so practical for living, if we would adhere to it, but GOD’s instructions are so contrary to what our flesh want’s to do. We want to get even, have the last sarcastic remark and we just don’t want to hear or heed wise counsel. Did you know that this Proverb says that he that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. Why won’t we just listen? Well the only explanation that I can think of is that we just want to be unhappy and in a state of confusion and turmoil all of the time. Some people may feel that The Word of GOD is outdated; that it’s just not practical for today. When we refuse to heed GOD’s instruction, He is far from us. The Word of GOD says, “The LORD is far from the wicked; but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.” It’s all here packed into one short but powerful Proverb. If we could just put into practice all of these intructions from the LORD, He would consider us a wise person. Many times in order to reach such a level of wisdom and contentment we will be required to become humble. The verse I used to title this message says, : “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” And when you really meditate on that verse in comparison to the Proverb as whole you will see that it takes humility to hold your tongue, or to accept reproof, correction and instruction. It takes humility to accept being poor in a worldly since and rejoice in being rich in the LORD. I truly appreciate the wisdom of Solomon for writing these inspired Words by GOD. I am sure that many of these wisdoms where probably lived out in his own life making this Proverb beautiful, heartfelt and strong.

Whatever state that you are in right now, this Proverb will speak to it. If we can just get to a level of understanding and trust in the LORD we would need less secular counselors and less medicating drugs. Instead of drowning out the problem, we can face it like soldiers of the Cross. I encourage you today to live in the wisdom of the LORD and trust fully in Him. As I have said before and will again many times over, that there may be times that you must Trust Him until it Hurts!!!

I pray GOD’s blessings upon you and that the SON of Righteousness Shine on you this day!!!

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1

What a scripture to be faced with in the morning after a bout of self pity and despair concerning my role as Mother, Wife, Teacher, Financier and any other title that could place upon ourselves. Sometimes as moms we tend to gather so many jobs and hoard them as our own not realizing that we leave so many needful things unattended. Prayer is essential, bible reading is essential, praising your children is essential, and seeking the face of the LORD in every aspect of our day is a MUST!! How can we even survive one successful day (keyword successful) without the LORD? I’m sure that at the end of the day we can all fall back in our chair (which is where I spend a great deal of my time) and say, well that’s a wrap, I made it through this day unscathed. But the question is what type of day was it? Was it wrought with fury and hardship? Did you make it by the skin of your might or by the power of the LORDS hand? Did you successfully pass the tests that were put before you or did you even notice them. Sometimes we are so oblivious to the lessons to be learned because we are so caught up in our AGENDA (yuck!!) LORD please deliver me from not seeing your face and your Will in every situation of my life. Please help me to pass the tests of life or at lease acknowledge them. Please help me at every moment not cease to follow your will in ever situation or at least acknowledge your Will. Yes, every wise woman does build her house, and hopefully it will be built upon the precepts of GOD’S word. Yes, the foolish plucketh it down and that with her own hands. I believe that I have on many occasions damaged the structure of my home, but by GOD’S grace not the foundation, for it is firm and sure and not even the gates of Hell can prevail against it. However; situations that are in my control cause me to falter in the area of maintaining my keep (castle part: a stronghold, or the innermost fortified part of a castle) I pray that as we go forward today that we will be the best wife and mother and sentinel of our home. GOD will protect us from every foe, but we must not allow the foe entrance. I thank the LORD for His ever watchful eye especially upon the reigns of my heart and I pray that we all walk forth in Love and Charity, holding forth the Words of Truth.

Too Full

Have you ever enjoyed a really good meal and you were so stuffed you felt as though you would burst but you just wanted one more bite. Well that is how I felt after a week long Church Revival. One night in particular the LORD blessed me beyond measure. I was so filled by the power of the Holy Spirit that I felt like I was going to burst but I wanted some more. When I got home I just didn’t know what to do with myself. I must have talked my husbands left ear off (while we were driving home) as I brimmed with excitement over the revelations that the LORD had given me concerning a Christian’s walk and mine in particular. Once home I did my nightly tasks, still thinking about the Spirit-filled message I had heard and actually didn’t want it to end. I thought I’d sit down and do a bit of crafting but as I sat down and tried to think of something to do. Once again I was drawn to the LORD so strongly that I couldn’t dare diminish my evening by doing a craft. I sat there and began worshipping the LORD again. The lyrics came to my mind of, "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me and I just felt so raptured away by the thought that one day I would actually be able to see my Savior face to face:

Surrounded by Your glory,

what will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus

or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence

or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah,

will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I want so much for my life to be lived worthy of the blood that was shed for my soul and I want so much to be a reflection of the Gospel of Christ. Once dead in sin and now risen to a newness of life in Christ Jesus. One great thing that was emphasized at the Revival meetings is that GOD IS ABLE. I looked up the phrase God is able and once again my soul leaped for joy at the scriptures that held such wonderful promises. I will share a few with you:

The Lord is able to deliver – Daniel 3:17
The Lord is able to build you up – Act 20:32
God is able to make you stand – Romans 14:4
God is able to make all grace abound - 2 Corinthians 9:8
HE is able to keep you from falling – Jude 1:24

We serve a GOD who is able to do far exceeding above what we can even ask or think. I am so thankful that the LORD saw fit to grant me repentance and an opportunity serve Him.

My last thought for this message is that of prayer. One night the Pastor preached on a very important aspect of a Christian’s life that I fear has all too often been lacking in my life and that is of prayer. I know that prayer is what strengthens our Spiritual armor against the enemies of Hell and it is our strongest connection to the LORD. Prayer is not what the flesh desires; the flesh does not like it when we get down on our knees to pray. That is why we must struggle to crucify this wicked flesh and bring it under subjection to the Will of the LORD. I must say I have been revived and I pray that the effects of this Revival will keep me burning for awhile until the next Revival. Correction, we don’t have to wait for a revival to come to town, we can always have the embers of our heart rekindle when we talk with the LORD by the way…Quickly read Luke 24:32 and you’ll be blessed!

Thanks for Listening and Love you all in Christ.

Simply Trusting
Sister Tammy

UNITY

I apologize for not writing sooner, the spirit was definitely willing but the flesh was full of excuses. I will not beleaguer this point for the LORD has put something on my heart to write.

I want to talk about a thing that has always been near and dear to my heart and that is UNITY. Did you know that this word is mentioned (as far as I can see and you can check me on this) three (3) times in the bible?

Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

The word unity spoken of is in reference to: The brethren, the unity of the bond of peace, and the unity of faith. This particular unity that the Word of God is speaking of cannot be had without Our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. There are many types unified fronts today in our world and society but they do not have the fullness of Christ and I am speaking of the Unity in Christ. When the brethren dwell together in unity the bible says, it is good and pleasant. Therefore according to Ephesians 4:3 we must do something, we must ENDEAVOUR to keep this unity. We must acknowledge that being in unity with Christ is a growing process as Ephesians 4:13 says, til we all come in the unity of faith. This phrase tells me that we must continue to strive to come to this unity of faith. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary says, “Until we arrive all of us at the unity."

I am encouraged by the scriptures because many times I see the body of Christ in a fractured state and not united, but according to the scriptures all is not lost because if we truly are in Christ we will all one day be united together with the LORD. Ephesians 4:13 also tells us that as we are coming to the unity of the faith that we must also come to the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, and unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. We should all have the knowledge of Christ through His Gospel. Ephesians 3:19 says, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” When we know the love of Christ who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, we should also, for the joy that is set before us endure our crosses. The apostle Paul is a wonderful example of someone who strived to attain to this perfection. Let us look at what Paul says about him striving after Christ:

Philippians 3:12 says: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect…”

Philippians 3:13 says: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended…”

Paul recognized his limitations in the flesh but he never used that as an excuse not to strive for perfection in Christ. Let us look at these two scriptures in their entirety:

Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Beloved in Christ, I rejoice in the fact that even though I have not apprehended all that there is to apprehend in Christ, I have been apprehended of him. In other words, even if I fail to be united with all of my brothers and sisters in Christ my continued effort is to continue to strive for unity. The more we know Christ and the closer we draw ourselves to Him, we should in like manner desire to draw ourselves closer to the body of Christ and all Saints are part of His body (one body.)

Lastly as I was studying Philippians 3:12 my eyes were drawn to the last part of the verse which says, “I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” I looked up the word apprehended in the dictionary and this is what it said:

Arrest somebody: to put somebody suspected of wrongdoing into legal custody.
(Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.)

I am so blessed to have been apprehended of Christ, because I was somebody caught in wrongdoing and now I am in the legal custody of Christ and I have been assured through scripture that He will never let me go. AMEN!!!!!

I pray this epistle of love was a blessing and received in the love and mind of Christ in which it was intended.

Blessings and as always,
Simply Trusting