A Loving Reminder: He Gathers Us

A Loving Reminder: 

They will follow the Lord; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. Hosea 11:10

Lovelies, I have wandered in the desert, where the land is dry and I was left thirsty and hungry, never satisfied. One morning I heard the Lord roar at me. I heard him tell me about me. Tell me about my wrongs, and warning me about changes I had to make.  He didn't use anyone to speak into my life. It was a personal encounter during a fast I was doing in preparation for a testimony I was to share. With fear and trembling I understood everything He spoke into my spirit.

I am not perfect. I am work in progress, but I am certainly not where I use to be. When I thirst I know where to draw water.

When I'm hungry I know where to be fed. 

Father, I come before your throne with a grateful heart, for I am redeemed. I know who's I am.  I wandered, I was unsettled but you gathered me. You relentlessly pursue me. You roar like a lion and back I am with trembling and fear, but in the hands of Unfailing Love! This is my story Lord, you have brought me to a place where I'm settled. As David said in Psalm 40  I proclaim your saving acts....; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness... Father I pray that you gather those hearts that are wandering from east and west, from north and south. Hear their cries and show them your unfailing love. Do not withhold your mercy from your children, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect us. In Your precious name, Jesus, Amen

A Loving Reminder: Because I Love You

A Loving Reminder: 

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” (Isaiah 43:1-2, 4, 10, 11, 13 NIV)

My, Lovelies, this past weekend, I was reminded of God's wonderful love for me, of His love for us.  How great it is to remember that: 

He has ransomed me. (Isaiah 43:1) 

He has called me by name. (Isaiah 43:1)

I am His. (Isaiah 43:1)

He walks with me through high waters. (Isaiah 43:2)

He walks with me through the fire. (Isaiah 43:2)

I am precious to Him. (Isaiah 43:4)

I am honored. (Isaiah 43:4)

I am loved. (Isaiah 43:4)

I am a witness. (Isaiah 43:10)

I am chosen. (Isaiah 43:10)

Apart from God there is no other. (Isaiah 43:11)

Nothing and no one can take me away from His hands (Isaiah 43:13)

God is so personal.  My favorite part of these verses is 'because I love you'.  Because I love you, says The Lord. Re-read the list of reminders again slowly, meditating on each one. Think about what each one means to you. 

Father, I come boldly before your throne full of praise and just grateful. 

You are perfect love. 

Thank you for the ransom you've paid. 

Thank you for calling me by name.

Thank you for reminding me that I am yours.

Thank you for walking with me through my trials and pains.

Thank you for reminding me that I am honored, precious, and loved. 

Like you there is no other. I pray on behalf of my lovelies, that they are daily reminded of your unfailing love. In your precious name, Jesus, Amen

A Loving Reminder: A Thorn

A Loving Reminder:

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But 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. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)

Lovelies, most times we go about our daily lives forgetting that we are always in the presence of God. We seek God the most during times of affliction. Like Paul's thorn, I have an emotional struggle, that is a bit like a 'thorn in my flesh'.  What it is exactly, is not important.  I believe a thorn can be anything, from remaining on a dead end job, a loss, loneliness, dissatisfaction, grief, an illness, a disability, etc. What is important is that mine serves as a reminder of the need of Christ in my life. I believe, God has allowed this struggle in my life because it keeps me at his feet. It keeps me humble, it keeps me in prayer, it keeps me seeking more of him. His grace is sufficient for me.

Father, I come before your throne as bold and humble, praying as King David in Psalm 119 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. (verses 67, 71, 73, 75-77) Father, I lift up any lovely that is in need of your grace, that if they are in the midst of affliction that they know that all they need is to seek you, for in our weakness your power is made strong. Forgive us for the times we go astray. I thank you for the mercy and the grace that you shed on us daily.  In your precious and powerful name, Jesus, Amen

A Loving Reminder: Grace and Mercy

A Loving Reminder: Grace and Mercy

Then I will return to my place until they admit their guilt and turn to me. For as soon as trouble comes, they will earnestly search for me.” (Hosea 5:15)

My lovelies, I've been reading a study on the book of Hosea. A study on the disobedience and redemption of the people of Israel. It has been a little tough to swallow, convicting and bringing full awareness of how we grieve God. 

Hosea 5:15 penetrates my heart. I read it over and over again. The Lord says I will return to my place..... Until they admit their guilt..... For as soon as trouble comes.....they will earnestly search for me. 

Certainly I am no different than the people of Israel. Almost daily, I get consumed by the worldly things around me. Grieving God by desiring the things of the earth. Wanting more than that, that He has already given me. I have even walked away in pursuit of things that are not of God, and that is not in His will for my life. And as beautiful as certain things may seem, where God's will is not present, there is no peace. So we often find ourselves living in misery, in pain, in trouble, living the consequences of pursuing our own earthly agendas without the blessing from God. It is in these moments of pain that that we remember God and start calling out to him. 

The part of the verse that resonates in me is 'The Lord says I will return to my place..' I know what it feels like when God recedes, because of disobedience. He never left me, he remained present. But after warning me, He receded and allowed me to walk in my will. Walking against God's will is an uphill battle. And I battled alone. The entire time I knew in my spirit that He was present but He allowed me to stumble, fall and feel the heaviness of his absence, until I could no more. It was at that  point of hurt of being tired of going against God that I searched for Him and that I longed once again to be in His presence! 

How faithful and merciful is He, that he allows us to do what 'we' will after he tries to guide us and then waits patiently until we are ready to come to him, full of pain, anguish and full of regret, searching for him diligently. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:1-9

Thank you Father, for I am redeemed! I know who's I am!  I wandered, I was unsettled but you gathered me. You relentlessly pursued me. You roared like a lion and back I was with trembling and fear, but in the hands of Unfailing Love! I lift up any lovely that may be walking on their own right now. I pray that they feel the heaviness of your absence as I did and run to You, searching for you diligently! I pray for true restoration where it is needed. I pray for a touch of your love where it is needed. I pray that you fill their mouths with a new song. Father I thank you because although you recede, you never leave. You are ever-present waiting to pick us up. Forgive us for grieving you.  In your precious name Jesus! Amen

A Loving Reminder: All things In Love

A Loving Reminder: All things In Love

And yet I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1)

My Lovelies, we are called to be a reflection of Christ. Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6)

When I reconciled with Christ about eight years ago, I climbed on a 'White Horse' riding around thinking because I was saved I was better than those who were not. Instead of love I spoke noise.  I rode like this for a few years until I was knocked off the horse into a pit. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). The lord humbled me and showed me that I will fall, that I will face trouble, that I will face temptation, but at best He showed me that He is compassionate, and loving to ALL those who will accept Him. Better off yes, because, I acknowledge that I was redeemed, but not any better than the next person. I am just as unworthy only difference between me and an unbeliever is that I have accepted that Christ stands before me in the eyes of the Father, and now, humbly I lay my praise at His feet. 

I just wanted to remind my lovelies, that Jesus did not walk around with attitude, he did not speak down to people. He spoke in Authoritative Love, everyone he approached he approached in Authoritative Love. He brought correction in Authoritative Love. Although He was perfect He did not walk around with a hard shell. Because of his Love people gravitated towards Him. He showed love and compassion and drew near to those whom society claimed to be the lowliest! It is those that were seen as unworthy that He drew near to. It was those that were unworthy that drew near to Him. 

Let us never think that we are now so clean, so worthy that we don't need just like the next person.  If you have reached that level of worthiness and holiness then there is no longer any need for Christ. 

I have a reminder that says Ali you are mine, don't forget what I have done for you. Reminding me of God's Compassion and Love towards me. A reminder that makes me speak love to those in darkness because I know first hand what it is to be blind and then to be given sight..

Lovelies, walk in Love, speak in Love. It is the greatest commandment!  

And yet I will show you the most excellent way. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13). 

Father I thank you, that You have brought and continue to bring forth transformation in our lives! You are so faithful to us! Relentlessly Pursuing us! I come boldly before your throne on behalf of myself and my lovelies asking Lord that You shine your light through us, today, tomorrow and always. Father that when others encounter us that they see you, that they see Love, that they hear Love! That they see that open letter of Christ that Paul talks about in his letter to the church of Corinth! That we simply be a reflection of Your ministry in us.

In your precious name, Jesus, Amen

John316- Jékob
http://youtu.be/WdtoVOX8eBc

Reign In Me- Jeremy Camp

http://youtu.be/cLFWlzUyPwE

The Way You Love Me- Jeremy Camp
http://youtu.be/zsecYbgoXzU

A Loving Reminder: Compassion

A Loving Reminder: Compassion

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:22, 23 NLT)

Good morning my lovelies, let us meditate on God's compassion for us! Close your eyes and just think on all that you are grateful for. Even if your in some kind of emotional or physical pain try to focus on what is good. Thank him for His mercies never cease, says the Word. Let us be still and wait on Him. Great is His faithfulness! 

Father I just come before you with a grateful heart, humbled that you chose me to show your compassion. Thanking you for all the little things we take for granted. That I woke up this morning, that I have employment, that my family are coming to know you one by one! I Thank you for the lovelies that you surrounded me with for each one has been a blessing in my life. I choose to focus on the beautiful things you have done for me and given me, for nothing I have attained alone. Father I pray that if any of my lovelies find themselves in the midst of a storm, may you anoint them and give them spiritual eyes to see the grace that covers them for your Word says that your grace is sufficient, and your mercies are new each morning! In your precious name, Jesus, Amen