THE LORD IS____________

The LORD is _______________________________________.

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Fill in the blanks of all the LORD is to you after reading and meditating on these verses.*

The LORD is my strength and my song; (Psalm 118:14)

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; (Psalm 16:5)

The LORD is my strength and my shield; (Psalm 28:7)

The LORD is near to all who call on Him, (Psalm 145:18)

Take those descriptors to heart as a part of your Monday musings. 

Later come up with you own "The LORD is" verses that speak to you and share with me or someone else.

THRUST OF TRUST REMINDER!

THRUST OF TRUST has me leaning in to the Lord for needed strength.

PRAISE GOD who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

(2 Samuel 22:33, emphasis mine)

This card in the morning mail did just that for me. 

Think trust (hope in; wait on).

May I use the Lord's strength today for His glory and the good of others as the joy of the Lord is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

WOW = WORDS OF WISDOM!

All true wisdom comes from God.

Trust in Him = Help!

A thrust of trust for Thursday!

MUSICAL MONDAY!

Meditation Monday became musical Monday thanks to longtime friend Doris' sharing this YouTube with me "As the Deer Pants" by David Phelps.....

https://youtu.be/tqGtufR-aIA?si=D9Cb86mc0rcsY_zh

.......and even longer-time friend Melody sharing the hymn which always brought tears to both, Fred Laughlin, her dad and her church friend, Bill Simmons as well. "Because He Lives" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnUDqibR_W4 

Hoping Musical Monday links  "work"* on this entry so God can use it to help draw you unto Himself.

*Might have to skip ad to get to the music

PERPETUAL PRAYERS!

Perpetual prayers so easily come forth for peace as we face life or pray  for others who relish such prayers as well. 

Recently, alone on a damp precipitous perch while hubby and grandson, Owen. hiked near-by, I left behind all the petitions.

Praises came forth! For me, circumstances too often lead to pleas/petitions. I needed to be still and allow the Lord to touch my soul that praises might come forth from my inmost being. (Psalm 103:1)

Reflecting this morning on that time on the "cliff", a knock on the door got me out of my prayer chair. Neighbor, John, had found a letter in the grass----damp from several days of due. But God used it to bless me greatly. It was answer to one of my perpetual petitions and it prompted praise. I had been anxious for an update from her and here it was!

Petition ▶️ Prayer  ▶️ Praise ▶️ Prompts 

▶️Perpetual Prayers & Praise Together

May praises for Him always be on my lips! (Psalm 34:1)

FLOUNDERING FORTITUDE!

STRENGTH diminishing! Why? What's the Source.....other than age or too much "me"?

Is it discouragement? Disappointment? Depression? Disease? Irritable-heart 

syndrome? 

Acceptance is the key.

This morning, the mirror on my chest clearly reminded me. "In my Face!"

Then, Scotty Smith's words for today re-emphasized the truth God already had  for me.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Two “I Am’s” + Three “I Will’s” = Deep Peace

ACRONYMS ABOUND!

Acronyms abound----on jars of jam, no less.

T.O.E. Jam made me laugh!!

Eventually, I realized the acronyms let a customer know contents of the jams.

I liked my THOTS better.

T rust                  T hrow                               T urn

O nly                   O ut                                  O n

E lohim                E expectations (of others)      E encouragement

Stick your toe in the positive "waters of words" to encourage others!

JOY! JOY!! JOY!!!

JOY to the World! How about JOY in the world!

Where does JOY begin? Years ago I learned that true JOY begins with Jesus. The Lord is our cup of blessing as He is always with us. JOY continues as we serve others well...as God loves us, by putting others before self. Self is last in the recipe for JOY. True JOY comes to us as we put Jesus and others first.

This acrostic has helped me remember that.

Jesus

Others

  Yourself

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

ETCHED IN STONE

Sometimes great reminders are right at your feet.

DON'T POSTPONE JOY!

• Romans 15:13. ... May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Nehemiah 8:10. ... the joy of the Lord is your strength.
• Isaiah 35:10.....Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
• Psalm 16:11. ... You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
• Psalm 27:6. ... I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
• Psalm 28:7...The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him 
• Psalm 126:2-3. ...The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

CHOOSE JOY--ETCH IT IN STONE! 

BETTER YET, WRITE IT ON YOUR HEART!

CHOOSE: TO GIVE THANKS

Even a note pad of jottings and urgencies can remind one of the importance of always giving thanks.(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Click here to "Read and Listen." 

Maybe enjoy the music while sipping a cuppa gra-TEA-tude & pondering Ephesians 5:19-20.

Give thanks with a grateful heartGive thanks to the Holy OneGive thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son 

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"Let the poor say, "I am richBecause of what the Lord has done for us"                                   Give Thanks. (Repeat)

A grateful heart overflows with love and is the result of choosing to "give thanks."

“Tuckered Out”

9/7/09 “All labored out on Labor Day”
If you wonder where I’ve been lately, you’re not the only one. I’m not sure myself---I think I’ve been on someone else’s schedule for me---and that’s not even counting work responsibilities. Yesterday morning I had a few minutes to get on my face before the Lord and cry out. As always He heard my prayer---the responsibilities, appointments, schedules and situation did not change. Yet, in His faithfulness, He met me right where I was. I didn’t have my dancing shoes on but He realized that I needed to sit out awhile and regroup and restore. Actually, I could have used a foot rub---maybe some salve and bandages like ballerinas use to rev up their tired feet and legs might have helped as well.
Restoration. It’s what I have to do on weekends these days. It’s necessary especially in my prayer life. I have so-o-o-o many friends with such prayer concerns right now and I need to have extra time to be in His presence and to approach His throne of grace on their behalf. Prayer revives me but it takes time.
Right now commitments are real and time-consuming. Therefore, I need to see His purpose in them. If I can’t, then I need to realign my life with His until I see clearly the path that He has for me. Only then can I confidently claim His strength.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him. (Psalm 28:7)

Those who know me well, know that I’m up past my 8:30 bedtime. But God……………………..
It’s never too late to meditate!