My Closest Friend...

Life is crazy sometimes... how God lays out our life before us and knows every step, decision, word, thought, and more.  When I choose to sit back and faithfully watch it roll out before me, it amazes me.  I only wish I would watch what He is DOING more often than I do instead of having to look back to see what He has DONE... looking back instead of forward.  Either way, to see His creativity at work and worked out usually leaves me in awe.  Such is the case here.  Originally I wrote the blog below about a week and a half ago before leaving on vacation with my family.  The daily dose of "Jesus Calling" struck my heart and stayed close to me.  I quickly wrote down one sentence from the devotional and followed it up with some thoughts I was processing.  A few days later, sitting on the deck looking out over part of His marvelous creation I marveled at His beauty (still on vacation so this creation is the Lake of the Ozarks).  "Jesus Calling":  this day a precious gift... prepared a way... eagerly await... rejoice when you glance My way... sing praise songs to Me.

"Let us come to Him with thanksgiving.

Let us sing psalms of praise to Him."

~*Psalm 95:3*~

Today I sit reading and my heart reflects on so much that has happened over the course of a few short weeks.  God has demonstrated His love and protection in so many ways.  He has shown me how He has prepared a way.  Have I given that gift of thanksgiving and worship back to Him?  This devotional, "Jesus Calling" was a gift... and has hit so many rough spots in my life.  I see it... read it... think about... do I do it?  Today's challenge:  "Practice praising and thanking Me continually throughout this day".

Psalm 100

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness.

Come before Him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!

He made us, and we are His.

We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving;

go into His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

and His faithfulness continues to each generation."

The purpose of me writing this was to share with you the thoughts I wrote down on the morning of June 23rd before my family left on vacation... and to tie it to all of the above and to what is shown further down and to share some of the gifts I have been given =).
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6.23.12

Every Step of the Way

"LET MY LOVE STREAM THROUGH YOU, WASHING AWAY FEAR AND DISTRUST."

God's spirit can be grieved.  I try to imagine Him as a friend walking with me, side by side, every step of the way.  I hate seeing others in pain and anguish, hurting.  I hate seeing the hurt in their eyes and the pain in their voice... especially if I am the cause of it.
Is it something I have done that has caused the pain and hurt?  Is it an action by you, distrust, a lack of faith, a destructive step, something I could have prevented, causing this pain.  It is not just harm done to this friend that could be hurting them but maybe it is harm done to me... harm done to me caused by me... this friend does not like to see me hurting.
He hurts when I hurt, cries when I cry, laughs when I laugh, and shares in every moment of my life... has it planned out for me.  It is True Love.
Give your heart and life to Him.  Watch your steps and your words.  Be mindful of your actions and your thoughts.  Let the pain, anger, frustrations, sorrow, insecurity, shame, laughter, joy, thanksgiving, worship, and love fade into His glory.
Recognize His Presence.  Trust in His Promises.  Live in His Love.  Have faith that He has already won.  Listen to His Word.  Bask in the glory of the One who saves.  Allow His soothing whispers to comfort.  Let His mighty arms wrap around you.  Let His gentleness blanket you.  Let His strength shield you.  Let Light guide you... every step of the way.  He is there.  He is with you... loving, soothing, caressing, protecting, surrounding, comforting, holding, providing.  He is always there... every step of the way.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8BPXh2L1k&feature=youtu.be

Happy 4th of July everybody!! =)