The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.  Proverbs 11:25

I love water. I always have. I like to see it falling from a waterfall or fountain. I especially like it since I have allergies, and my mouth gets so dry. I always liked to swim as a child, and they called me” the mermaid” at swimming lessons because I was always under water. Of course our scripture today means so much more than the actual cool, wet, liquidy “thing” but it can be seem as that “thing” as well.

I told my husband years ago that I thought this was his life verse because it so exemplified who he is. He was blessed, but he didn’t see himself in it. Which is another reason why I thought it was for him. Those who think of others more than themselves are always blessed in one way or another.

God is glorified in our selfless, acts of love, which is one important reason why we are here, on this planet, at this specific time. Our world is more angry, and hostile than ever. So, the acts of kindness shine ever more brightly! Don’t you agree?

May He grant you according to your hearts desire, and fulfill all your purpose.          Psalm 20:4

I hope I never forget the first time that I read this!  I was amazed at this truth. God would grant my hearts desire? I was 19, and I thought, God is going to give me a husband! That didn’t happen for another 10 years. It took me that long to realize that it is God’s desire that He puts into our hearts that we will want more than anything else!

 I few years later I realized that if things went according to my plans, Rudy and I would have had some pretty miserable years because we were both in need of some major overhauls in our hearts before we could love anyone. Nothing that was too big for God, but it was tremendous to us, since we couldn’t see the problem. He is so ever faithful to give us what we need, when it is the right time. This does not mean that we didn’t struggle! We had a lot of adjustments to go through as all couples do, but now that we have been married for 27 years, I have to say, thank God for His way!

God will certainly guide us to fulfill His purposes. This is a work that also takes time sitting at His feet. It unravels into a perfect tapestry to the glory of God, but right now, it is only beautiful to the Master. It takes a lifetime for this to fully develop, and only Jesus knows when it is fulfilled.

I just started a book that I think many of us would enjoy. It is “Unqualified” by Steven Furtick. How God Uses Broken People To Do Big Things. He is a Pastor of a church in North Carolina called Elevation Church. You may have heard of their worship music, which they are well known for. I am telling you all this, because when I read psalm 20 this morning, this book was sitting right next to me, and I thought, this is no coincidence!  Knowing that even though you have been broken, God still calls you His child, His own and that HE sees what others do not see. value is what counts, and He sees far deeper that any other can! He is the master builder of broken hearts and lives. Can I get an AMEN!

Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and the living God.  Philippians 2:15a

I hope this verse looks familiar to you. I used it last week, but I have a totally different way of presenting it to you today. We, as the people of God, have been harassed lately because we are painted as uncaring, unloving, and uncompassionate to those who are trying to express themselves in a sinful way. I read an article lately called “Truth is Compassion,” and I have to say, that says a lot, It doesn’t however, give us a license to be mean and uncaring. Many unsaved are no more than broken, hurting souls, trying to make it through another day.

 When I first got saved, my parents had to admit that I had changed for the better. I was motivated, cheerful, and getting better grades in school. They didn't understand how Jesus could made a difference, but they saw the result.

 If this broken world can`t see Jesus in us, they have no other recourse than to believe the world around them.

“Provide people with a glimpse of good living and the living God.”   “Love is patient, love is kind, it is not rude, or prideful. It is not provoked, and does not think evil of others.

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The Doe of the Dawn- Psalm 22

A Psalm of David

Did you ever see this saying that is actually above Psalm 22? It seems out of place at first glance. This psalm is prophetic about what Jesus would suffer on the cross and it was written by King David, a thousand years before Christ.

Why would a phrase like that, be placed before such a serious, important portion of scripture? When we think of a doe, we envision a gentle, meek, peaceful creature; strong, but quiet and unassuming. The dawn awakens us to newness, fresh beginnings; it comes after the darkest portion of the night. It dispels all darkness, because it has conquered it.

 The marriage of meekness and light, peace with strength, speaks of one who parted the darkness from the day.

My times are in your hand- Psalm 31:5a

When I was pregnant with my third child, I asked the Lord to help me trust Him that my child wouldn't be born when I was alone with my two other children. My previous deliveries were quick, and I didn't want to be left with two little faces looking at me while I was puffing and doing the “who haw” breaths. {Lamaze is a gift.}  Also I was wondering about getting my son off the bus when who knows what was going on. There is nothing more unpredictable than the timing of a baby!

God, being who He is, answered my prayer with this verse. It gave me such peace, that I never worried again about how this scenario would unfold.  Matthew woke me at about 1:00am, to tell me that it was time for him to come into our world. I should have known that that would be “the time”, since the others woke me at this same time.

 One never knows with babies, but we can always trust our faithful Father in heaven to bring about His purposes in His timing.  I hope this verse will minister grace and peace to you in whatever you are birthing.  A new relationship, a new gifting, a brighter future! 

Blessings and love, Ann