A moment of reflection .....

[Lee M]

Here is something the Lord showed me some time ago and is still presently
showing me as I am going through some very rough times.

Sometimes, the voice of the, LORD is silent, because ...

~ The Hand of God is silently moving the whale ...
         ~ towards it's ultimate destination ~

"The hand of God shall be known to His servants"
Isaiah 66:14

Therefore ........

"I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your Hands"
Psalm 143:5

It keeps me busy so, I don't have to concern myself about great matters.
By meditating and musing on the things of God it, fills me with His peace.
Psalm 131:1-3

[Jackie]

I read this Lee and I thought how strange it would be if suddenly I no longer heard His voice. I said, Lord, never let that be, for I ever want to hear Your voice everyday. I know sometimes when I ask Him a question, an answer does not always come two seconds later. His answer sometimes comes a few days later. I used to think He hadn't heard my question and that's why He didn't answer me straight away. Now I say to people ask and the Lord will answer you; it may not be two seconds later, but He will surely answer. Sometimes His answers come at the most unexpected times; like I'll be washing the dishes and it's like, "Who's behind me?" I hear His answer to the question I asked Him a few days before. He always makes me smile when He surprises me like that!

[Lee M]

                ... The Sower and the Tax Collector ...

These two parts of scripture left a lasting impression upon me as 
an infant Christian.  The Tax Collector taught me to be a submissive
servant with a heart of humility when approaching the Lord in prayer. 
It inspired me to be on, my face when seeking the presence of God
with, the utmost reverence and devotion to Him alone.

The sower parable, taught me to dig into the fertile soil, and become
deeply rooted and grounded in God's word.  It inspired me to be sowing
seeds of faith, peace, righteousness and seeds of the word of God. 
These two lessons hold true to this day.  They are a good reminder of
how our fundamental walk with the Lord sets a solid foundation, on how
to go boldly, before the throne of, grace in prayer and how to bear good
spiritual fruit.

"The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector" Luke 18:9-14

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they
were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple
to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee
stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like
other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 
I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.  And the tax
collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to
heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'  
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the
other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted."

"But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head"
Psalm 3:3

"The Parable of the Sower Explained"  Mark 4:13-20

And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable?  How then
will you understand all the parables?  The sower sows the word.  And 
these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown.  When
they hear, satan comes immediately and takes away the word that 
is sown in their hearts.  These likewise are the ones sown on stony
ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with
gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only
for a time.  Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the
word's sake, immediately they stumble.  Now these are the ones sown
among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of
this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things
entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.  But these are
the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it,
and bear fruit; some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."  

"Does not the ear test words, as the palate tastes its food" Job 12:11

"But those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy,
He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him"
Psalm 126:5-6

"May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.
God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him"
Psalm 67:5-7

[Lee M]

                      ... The Rose and the Thorn ...

Are you in pain?  Pain that seems never to go away? 
Is the pain physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual?  All of them? 
Well then...Jesus is your answer!

Pain can be a, devastation for most people.  However, if a person has to
live with, pain on a daily basis it is better to welcome the pain as a friend
rather than, an enemy.  The word of God teaches us to love our enemies.
To befriend them so that they, can come to the saving grace of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.  Although pain cannot be saved by grace, the
point being, God's grace gives strength to the one who is suffering.

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,..." Luke 6:27-28

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made
perfect in weakness."  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my
weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.....  That is why, for
Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in
persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, than I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Jesus never promised us a rose garden.  He never said, our lives wouldn't
have thorns that could, hurt us.  As a matter of fact, roses are beautiful
but you, have to be careful.  A single, red, rose, is magnificent in beauty. 
The person must be, aware of the, thorns when admiring it's beauty,
otherwise, you know what happens.  Yes, the thorns can hurt you, just
like the thorns that caused our Sovereign Lord, much pain when they
pierced his head with the crown of thorns. 

Recently, I was thrown for a loop when I heard, tragic news, that fell 
upon our family.  It left me unsteady on my feet.  The worst part is that
I did not understand the reason "why" it, had occurred in the first place. 
I asked the Lord why he would allow such a thing to happen.  The Lord
in his, grace and, love towards me showed me that, life is a beautiful
thing.  It may have thorns that can cause us, to bleed a little but in the
end those, very same thorns can be placed in our path as a, hedge of
thorns for our protection.  Imagine yourself fully surrounded by the thorns
that caused the Lord much pain are the very ones, that are being used to
protect, you from all harm.  Now, you can, gaze at a rose and it's thorns
and understand that the rose, is the flower of choice to represent love
and, it's thorns, are specifically representative of God's love for us.  It brings
great comfort to the one who, is in pain to realize that we are not alone...
the, great comforter...the God, of all comfort is, right there by our side.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our
troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort
we ourselves have received from God" 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

If you are in pain of any kind, try to remember that the cross of, Christ is
what helps us to be able to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and
follow him with an, undivided heart.  The price was paid on Calvary's Cross.
once and for all.

Then He said to them all, "if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" Luke 9:23-25

Sovereign Lord, please cover the wounds of all those who are hurting, all
those suffering tremendous pain with your, anointing oil.  The pain can
sometimes make the person feel isolated and alone.  But Lord In the 
desert of our pain You have placed a, reservoir of, healing living waters for
us, to draw from.  All, we need to do is step into the pool and soak in the
healing waters.  Thank You that your word says, "I will make the wilderness
a pool of water" Isaiah 41:18.  The pool of Siloam where we can wash all
our pain and, afflictions, away and become whole again, John 9:11-13.
Thank you, Lord, for your, loving-kindness and merciful heart.  May your
grace rest upon us, as we put, our hope in You.  "But as for me, I trust in
YOU, O LORD; I say, YOU are my GOD" Psalm 30:14.  "I will praise you,
O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever"
Psalm 86:12.  Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and
ever" Psalm 145:2.  Thank you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Three in ONE,
I love and adore, you.  In Jesus' name. Amen.   

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help,
and he will say: "Here AM I" Isaiah 58:9

                     

[Lee M]

                                ... Christ the Faith Builder ...

A few quiet moments, realizing so much, with the joy and, peace of the
Lord...9/17/08.  This is a collection of the many verses and experiences
summed into one major thought.

"....Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,..." Hebrews 12:1-2

He is, the builder of great faith...an enduring faith...an abiding faith...an
unyielding steadfast, perfect, faith.

It is only now, that I fully, understand the truth, the reality of "why" I've
had to go through so much physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual,
testing of my faith.

The simple truths of abundant love and peace, along with the purity of
faith and the fullness of joy throughout the upheaval, the unmasking, the
bare nakednss of my soul were all patterned to, divulge the real depth of
who I truly am in the sight of the Lord.  It was to reveal if I would walk,
with an unyielding faith when I couldn't find my way ... much, like a blind
person groping in the dark.  I had to trust the way of the Lord regardless
of the sight of my eyes.  It was learning to walk through the fire while I
was being refined and tested in the crucible. 

"The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests
the hearts" Prov 17:3.  ".....For YOU, O God, tested us; you refined us like
silver...Psalm 66:10...we went through fire and water, but you brought us
to a place of abundance" Psalm 66:12 [Psalm 66:8-13].

The testing was, for purification so that I would come forth as pure gold,
Job 23:10-11.  When we are in the "furnace of affliction" we can't stand
the ever, increasing temperature of the heat and we want out.  We can't
see past the high flames and the smoke.  Our vision is distorted to some
degree.  If we can get past the dispair and anguish we would, appreciate
that, fire is the fire of the Holy Spirit.  We cannot snub out that flame. 

By experiencing the furnace of affliction I've come to the, realization that
we must fan the flame of the Holy Spirit.  In other words as believers, we
must let the fire of the Holy Spirit burn intensely, in our hearts.  We are
been, persevered, sustained, and given the endurance to overcome the
fiery testing of our faith even, as we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice
which is our spiritual act of worship, Romans 12:1.  "Blessed is the man
who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will
receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him"
James 1:12. 

All these experiences taught me to "obey" and to "walk humbly" with my
God.  The most important part of all was to teach me to count it all joy
with the same kind of joy that Jesus endured on the cross.  By taking all
this into consideration it anchored my eyes back to the focal point of
the death of, the Lamb of God.

"Consider it all JOY, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your FAITH produces endurance.  And let
endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking in nothing" James 1:1-4.

Presently, my eyes and heart are fixed, on the Lord, which keeps me
pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called
me heavenward in Christ Jesus, Philippians 3:13-14. 

Every bit of this testing was a learning process so that I, would be able
to endure the blazing fire for the glory of the Lord of Hosts.  God,
authorized the testing of my faith in order for me, to develop an enduring,
solid perfect faith in Him.  As one who can then, say: "I will behave wisely
in a perfect way.  Oh, when will You come to me?  I will walk within my
house with a perfect heart" Psalm 101:2.  May those who hope in you not
be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who 
seek you not be put to shame because of me..." Psalm 69:6

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the Name of
the Lord" Job 1:21.  It's been through the gaining and losing that, His
mercy, grace, and love sustained me.  "I will restore to you the years 
that the swarming locust has eaten" Joel 2:25.  "...He is a rewarder of
those who diligently seek Him" Hebrews 11:6.  "You shall eat in plenty
and be satisfied, and praise the Name of the Lord your God, who has
dealt wondrously with you" Joel 2:26

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"
Hebrews 12:2

But ~ God ~ being, the author and, perfecter of our faith, gives us,
the ability to see with eyes of faith.  With perfect, faith, we cultivate a
deep rooted trust in the HOLY ONE who is, the stability of our times,
Isaiah 33:6.

We live by faith not by sight 2 Cointhians 5:7..."so that our faith might
not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" 1 Corinthians 2:5
"And now, Lord, what do I wait for?  My hope is in YOU" Psalm 39:7

~ May we be set, on fire by the power of the Holy Spirit, for His glory! ~

[Abigail]

There is a lot of wisdom here, sis. I relate to so much of what you have written. It mirrors my own experiences with pain and suffering. I have become stronger in my faith and others are strengthened, too, because they figure that if I can get through things...so can they!

It is hardest when it seems like there is no blessing...no helping of at least one other person...that results from our suffering. It is much easier to bear (not easy...just easier) when we can see how it is helping someone else...as well as helping us.

[Lee M]

Thank you,  Abi.  You are a blessing to me.  You're in my prayers.

[Lee M]

"For He knows the secrets of the heart" Psalm 44:12

It never ceases to amaze me how our Heavenly Father see, hears and knows
every single, minute detail of who we are.  He knows us better than we can
ever begin to know about ourselves.  He who has spoken every fiber of our
being into existence knows us the best, and loves us the most.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" Jeremiah 1:5
"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me" Psalm 139:1
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with
loving-kindness" Jeremiah 31:3

The secrets of the heart, are sometimes misunderstood.  It isn't that you are
trying to hide some dark secret but rather you are protecting a very deep and
painful problem(s).  Sometimes, you don't feel safe enough to open up, and
have to explain something that is so difficult to articulate.  Or it could be that
you cannot find the words in which to express the pain.  You open your mouth
but no words flow out.  It seems as if someone pushed the pause button on
the door of you lips and the words are frozen in time.  Yet on the other hand
it's what releases the heavy burden of carrying it around everywhere you go.  
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls" Matthew 11:28-29

"My heart says of you, seek his face!  Your face, Lord I will seek" Psalm 27:8

Sovereign Lord, Glory be to Your name.  Thank You, that, You hear the
prayers and the cries of Your people.  You are always ready to act on
our, behalf.  Lord, sometimes, the affairs of a persons heart can be such
a, solitary place, especially, when no one can, understand, their deepest
hurt.  Thank You, that you know and, comprehend the inner, turmoil of
each soul.  Thank You, for not looking at the things man, looks at.  Man
looks at the outward appearance, but You look deep into the chambers  
of, the heart...1 Samuel 16:7b.  "You hear O LORD, the desire of the
afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry" Psalm 10:17.  

As You cast, Your loving eyes upon us heal the secret pain of our heart.
Hold us ever so, close to You.  Lord, You see the tears on our pillow, the
ones no one else gets to see.  May each teardrop fall into the hollow, of
your hand.  Wipe all our tears of sorrow away.  Replace them with tears
of JOY!  It's with all Your compassion and faithfulness, "You keep track
of all our sorrows.  You have collected all our tears in Your bottle.  You
have recorded each one in your book" Psalm 56:8.  Therefore be, our
comforter throughout our days.  Lord, You heal the brokenhearted and
bind their wounds, Psalm 147:3.  Our flesh may fail but You are the
strength of our hearts, Psalm 73:26.  May your solace soothe the
unrelenting pain hidden in, the recesses, of our souls.  How our hearts
wait expectantly, to hear your small still voice whisper words that will
give us, the courage to, reveal the secrets of our hidden pain.  In the
morning manifest your overwhelming peace to carry us over through the
night in a powerful way as we abide and rest in your secret dwelling place.
Lord, please, fill us with strength for we put all, our faith, and hope only,
in You, Psalm 31:24.  Thank You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  In Jesus'
name. Amen!  To You, O God be the glory now and forever.  

"Our shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart" Psalm 7:10

~ Each tear that falls from your eyes causes a ripple effect in God's heart ~

[Lee M]

                        ... A Fresh Olive Leaf ... 

"So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the
window of the ark which he had made.  Then he sent out a raven,
which kept going to and fro until the waters had receded from the face
of the ground.  But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her
foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the
face of the whole earth.  So he put out his hand and took her, and drew
her into the ark for himself.  And he waited yet another seven days, and
again he sent the dove out from the ark.  Then the dove came to him in
the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth;
and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.  So he
waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not
return again to him anymore" Genesis 8:6-12

The Lord had to destroy, and rebuild a new fresh life, a new beginning
on the face of the earth.  It's very much like the, old man must not
exist anymore verses the new man that has, become a new creation. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone,
the new has come!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself
through Christ and gave us the, ministry of reconciliation: that God was
reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against
them.  And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We
are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his
appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to
God.  God made him who had no sin be sin for us, so that in him we might
become the righteousness of God" 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

No longer is the flesh prominent but the spirit of God is now dwelling within
that person.  It's cutting out the old so the new can take root and thrive. 
"At least there is hope for a tree; if it is cut down, it will sprout again,
and its new shoots will not fail" Job 14:7

It's a beautiful image that is illustrated for us in verse [9] of Noah taking
the dove into the ark...so he put out his hand and took her...it's the
same way the Lord has reached out his tender hand toward us and drew
us onto Himself.  The ark to me represents, a safe sanctuary, a place of
safety, a peaceful orchard of protection from the elements of potential
harm.  It's a, reflective, quiet restful alcove where a weary soul can rest
and bask in, the tranquility of the warm, radiant holy light of the presence
of God Almighty.  No one could come in or go out unless the Lord ordained
it to be so.  It's all about being in the holy presence of the most High God. 
"But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in
the lovingkindness of God forever and ever" Psalm 52:8. (Jeremiah 31:3)

It's a great lasting impression on how the Lord drew us unto Himself and 
if we cling to Him staying rooted and grounded in, the deep soil of His
righteousness we will, develop a growth of natural maturity and change. 
"The dew will lie all night on my branch" Job 29:19. 

"Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their
hope and confidence.  They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with
roots that reach deep into the water" Jeremiah 17:708

Sometimes, the Lord has to cut and prune the tree of our life in order for
us to develop, stronger branches and flourish into a healthy olive tree.  It
can hurt but it is necessary so we can be strengthened while growing
stronger and healthier with the sustaining power of the Lord.  In other
words, the deep root of our tree of life is a holy, root thereby making the
branches holy as well.  God's word tells us that, we don't support the root,
but the root supports us. Romans 11:16,18.  With this kind of support the
root will, mature and never fail to bear it's crop to it's, full potential.
Read Romans 11:13-36

"But just as HE is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy,
because I Am Holy" 1 Peter 1:15-16.  "For from him and through him and 
to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." Romans 11:36.     

~ Today, if the opportunity arises, reach out, &, extend an olive branch! ~








       

[Jackie]

Beautiful-beautiful-beautiful! Thank you Lee for sharing all of this. It's made me think about a lot of things. Father, please bless Lee and her family today, and may Your presence be so real! Amen.

[Lee M]

An awesome, delightful quiet moment with my Lord and Savior .....
Today, Feb. 23, 2008 I felt an uneasiness, as if something was missing.
It was such that it caused me to seek the Lord on this matter and pray
this prayer ........

Heavenly Father, You are all knowing, infinite in wisdom, and full of mercy.
I stand before you, seeking you to reveal what is concerning me today. 
Lord, help me to attain from your Godly wisdom, a spiritual humility, causing
a hunger and unquenchable thirst for Your word.  Instill in me a quiet and
gentle spirit that is willing to listen and obey.  Father, I ask You to spark an
internal fire in me to serve you and others with the love of Your son Jesus
Christ.  Let Your Living Word inspire a zest that will ignite an intense zeal
for your kingdom, not only for me but for Rich, and for the others that desire
to keep their hands on the plow.  May this zeal be etched into the chambers
of our hearts, reminding us of the overwhelming joy and peace we
experienced when we first accepted you as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, please continue to empower each one of us with the
anointing fire of your Holy Spirit.  Thank you, God Almighty, thank you, for
your loving-kindness and unconditional love.  We praise, honor, and glorify
your Holy Name forever and ever.  In Jesus' Name. Amen!

Goodness, it was that simple...my great revelator shined his truth on me!

It was all about the "ZEAL" that we sometimes are lacking.  How easy we
forget, how it was for us, when we first met our Redeemer...there was a
leap of joy!!  We couldn't hold back the excitement, the sheer joy that
beamed in every fiber of our being.  We reflected God's light, sparkling a
brightness we never knew before.  Everyone could see there was something
very different about us.  God help us to get back our newness of life, never
to get dull, but to shine God's truth and light in this dark world.

"........In him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel
of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the
Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory"
Ephesians 1:3-14

Lord, what a beautiful day it is to be in Your awesome presence.  To be STILL
before you and knowing that YOU are GOD ETERNAL!!  Praise your Holy Name! 

[Lee M]

                        ... The Essence of Commitment ...

If there was ever, an example of a, pure and perfect commitment that
has been set, before us...it is our Lord Jesus.  He pledged himself to God
the Father and to us.

Jesus, in all humility, came to serve rather than rule thereby fulfilling the  
will of His Father.  He chose to suffer all manners of pain and doing without
than to be glorified as, king.  His time, had not, yet come.  Everything,
Jesus did he did it with a, committed allegiance.  Thank God, he never gave
up on his mission, to finish what His Father asked of him.  He stuck with it.  
He kept his eye on the results of his final destination.  He knew the out-
come would bring about a glorious change for mankind. The love he had
for us was greater than any amount of distressful, pain he would suffer.  
He chose us over himself.  We were his, ultimate, commitment.  The sole  
purpose for, his coming to earth was for us to receive, the sacrifice of
redemption.  This loving gift of salvation opened the door, for us to an
indescribable, inheritance for eternity.  We will wait with expectation!  
   
"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the
same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human
desires, but rather for the will of God" 1 Peter 4:1-2

"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit
themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good"
1 Peter 4:19

By, a faithful, act of committing ourselves to the Lord we give, Him free
reign, to keep our souls faithfully, anchored upon Him throughout our lives.

"The end of all things is near.  Therefore be clear minded and self-
controlled so that you can pray.  Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one
another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has
received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various
forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words
of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides,
so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be
the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:7-11  

"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will
make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like
the noonday sun.  Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;"
Psalm 37-5-7a

"Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established"
Proverbs 16:3

"The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works"
Psalm 145:17

~ ~ May our commitment to Christ always, be without compromise ~ ~  

[Lee M]

The things we see, hear, and feel today are causing so much pain to so
many people.  When I look all around me and see what is going on
around the world my heart is grieved.  

Can you imagine the, cry of each heart, pouring out like this?:
"Lord, I cry out to you for help.  In the morning I pray to you.  
Lord, why do you say no to me?  Why do you turn your face
away from me?  I've been in pain ever since I was young.  I've
been close to death.  You have made me suffer terrible things.
I have lost all hope.  Your burning anger has swept over me.
Your terrors have destroyed me.  All day long they surround
me like a flood.  They have closed in all around me.  You have
taken my companions and loved ones away from me.  The
darkness is my closest friend" Psalm 88:13-18  
(New International Readers Version)

Are you weathering raging storms in your life?  Do you feel like
Psalm 88:18 where darkness is, your closest, friend?

Does it seem as if Job's 3 friends showed up and offered no help at all?
No blessing, no comfort, no peace, no friendship, no consolation?

Lord God Almighty, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my
territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me
from evil, that I may not cause pain!" 1 Chronicles 4:10. Amen!

Do you need a real, authentic friend close by?

If life is as harsh for you as it is for me I'm sure you can use a friend
that will, stick with, you through thick and thin ......

There is friend that sticks closer than a brother....Pro 18:24

"Two are better than one,........" Ecclesiastics 4:9a
"If one falls down, his friend can help him up....." Ecclesiastics 4:10a

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
And we ought to lay down our lives for our brother" 1 John 3:16
"A friend loves at all times,..." Proverbs 17:17

"........God is love" 1 John 4:9.  

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life
of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant
offering and sacrifice to God" Ephesians 5:1-2

~ With God's, love wrapped, in a hug for each heart that needs a friend ~

"Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend's
counsel that comes from the heart" Proverbs 27:9 (Amplified)
   

[Lee M]

              ... The Lord God ~ The Supreme Comforter ...
                              ... is in your midst ...

In all that you do,...do it to the glory of God!  In all, humility do what you
know you ought to do in what he, has called you to do, and leave the rest
up to the Lord.  He is after all in control of all things in your life.

"What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be
against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up
for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  Who
shall bring a charge against God's elect?  It is God who justifies.  Who
is he who condemns?  It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also 
risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession
for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation,
or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 
                 
As it is written: 'For your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter'

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who
loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels
nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord"
Romans 8:31-39

"With God we will gain the VICTORY, and he will trample down our
enemies" Psalm 108:13

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to
those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose"
Romans 8:28

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you
desire, and it shall be done for you" John 15:7

In those quiet moments, when you have a beautiful intimate encounter 
with the Lord your mind will, become vividly clear and focused.  No
problem then, is too big.  Your eyes and thoughts are now Christ centered. 
It gives way for your spirit to freely, soar with an unspeakable joy and
peace while healing what ails you.  Your soul is, soon in complete rest
releasing you from all the burdens that have kept you bound and afflicted. 
Immediately in the midst of that peaceful communion between you and
your, Master Jesus Christ you become saturated with an overwhelming
sense of a sweet surrender, where you just let everything, go.  There is
enormous alleviation by, setting you free.  All your cares fall, on God's
shoulders and off of yours.  Afterwards this freedom fills you with a quiet
confident assurance in Christ Jesus alone who builds a protective
impenetrable hedge, around, each one of us. 

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our
troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort
we ourselves have received from God" 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our father, who has
loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort
and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word"
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

~ Allow your spirit to freely glide on the gentle air currents of God's love ~

[Jackie]

Dear Lee

I have just reflected on this writing, and what came to mind was the fact I feel so inadequate at times. I really do worry about my walk with the Lord. I ended up thinking I am not progessing at a pace that is pleasing to Him. Reading this really does help me a lot. Yesterday my son was sharing some things with me about people he knows. I could tell my son feels concerned about these people, and I feel very concerned too.

My son painted a picture of lost souls and I ended up thinking, how is it possible to pray for all these souls who are in such darkness, addicted to drugs, alcohol and other dark things. I know my son is called to be a preacher, but this will be when he recommits his life back to the Lord. I recommitted my life back to Jesus when I was 26. My son is now 26. He will be 27 on the 15th February. So, he could recommit his life back to Jesus between now and his 27th birthday may be? The Lord knows.