WILTING AWAY

Why is it so easy for good intentions to wilt away right before my eyes? Just like my sunny bright yellow bouquet did yesterday! Wilted & faded right before by eyes---just as my breath has faded this week until breathing treatments began to kick in. 

My energy cuppa is depleted. Do I need a cuppa S-TEA-rength???? 

"For with You is the fountain of life;" (Psalm 37:9a) I need to draw energy and direction from the "Fount" of every blessing. Inhaling deeply comes to mind. Inhaling at much all has been such a physical struggle this last week. 

But God......lead me to an Oswald Chambers quote. "Watch how God will wither up your confidence in natural virtues....and in any power you have, until you  learn to draw your life (my very breath) from the reservoir of life.... of Jesus."(My Utmost For His Highest, 12/30) Then Chambers added, "Thank God if you are going through a drying up experience." So, that's what I'm doing as I hang on to his word, especially in different translations of Psalm 87:7. It's keeping me focused that my strength comes from nothing "natural" or pharmaceutically but only from the Jesus, One True Source.........

And while they dance, people sing: “The source of my life comes from you.” (CEB)All my springs of joy are in you. (NASB)The source of my life springs from Jerusalem! (NLT)
All my springs (my sources of life and joy) are in you. (AMPC)            My fountains are in Thee. (YLT) 

As I was pondering these truths, Hubby came in the door with a perfect focal point from the farmer's market---A sunflower!....

...."not wilted" in any way and had survived last night's hail storm. Note all the seeds of hope in the middle of it!
Sunflower----a happy gift, a gift that symbolizes adoration of the One who created the sun and the sunflower. 

God's s-TEA-rength : an exercise

I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, 

(Ephesians: 3:16, NET)

ABCs of God's strength were clear to me this morning as I sipped my cuppa Harney and Sons organic English Breakfast, a strong black tea, while looking for my exercise band.

ABCs---All 'Bout Core.

Core is the exercise world's buzzword these days. One can even find it digitally---as a hashtag, a YouTube video or in any other of the 24,300,000 google results.

But God....showed me as I stared into my cuppa "strong" tea that was giving me a needed physical lift, that soul strengthening comes from Him. His strength. His might. (Ephesians 6:10 & Philippians 4:13)

His strength is available for my inner person, my spiritual "core." 

I've moved up weight sizes as I've exercised regularly for physical core strength---tho it might not be evident to others who see a measly "3" weight in my right hand or or the "green band," not the lowest, but close. The fitness instructor seems to use the term, core work, to emphasis our "core" focal point--- regardless of what we're doing. She tries to take us to that level because strengthening of the core is essential.

Just like I need exercise along the lines of continued practice for my physical core, I need the continued spiritual practice of soul strengthening. It is essential. I must sit upright before Him as I seek His strength for each and every day He gives me. 

Consider Him. Seek Him. 

If not, I "grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:3)

All 'Bout Core comes from knowing All 'Bout Christ!

God's s-TEA-rength, a daily cuppa teamed with spiritual exercise of prayer and study, can strengthen one's core.....her very soul!

S-TEA-rength

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13, NASB)

So many scriptures deal with the availability of God's strength---so why do I forget to appropriate it immediately? Why do I exhaust my own strength and then consider Him? Why is it sometimes hard to cry out to Him? Do I need to tattoo, "in my weakness, He is strong" on my forehead?

God's Word clearly says that His strength is there for the taking---maybe accepting is a better word choice.

His strength is offered.....

• every morning (Isaiah 33:2) 
• for renewal (Isaiah 40:31) 
• for the weak (Isaiah 40:29) 
• for help in trouble (Psalm 46:1) 
• to the weary soul (Psalm 119:28) 
• and is sufficient to handle insults, hardships, persecutions & difficulties (2 Corinthians 9:10) 
• through his Spirit for one's inner being (Ephesians 3:16) 
• along with His power (Ephesians 6:10) 
• for everything (Philippians 4:13) 

In everything, He's there (Phil. 4:19)....including strength---
---which friend Ann can certainly attest to
these last six months.

I need to sip a cuppa HIS s-TEA-rength daily. Certainly, casing to strive in my own strength will enhance my joy in Him. (Nehemiah 8:10)