When He Was Yet a Long Way Off!

Last week I shared some GREAT news of a "suddenly" that God orchestrated. The person involved in this said as he went into the building and when he came out, "I feel like the prodigal son". He said it somewhat jokingly, trying to take the edge off of the jitters that accompany the commitment he was making. The next morning I heard the verse that captures the return of the prodigal son, and as the narrator read the verse, he said "while he was yet a long way off" the Father ran to meet the son! I've heard this story ALL my life, gleaned many lovely truths...

But right now the truth that makes me jump up and down, is how good and tender He is to watch for us, and any little step in His direction we make, at any time, He is waiting for it! He SEES it! And while we or our loved ones are yet a long way off, having much to be worked out with fear and trembling in our lives, He will RUN TO MEET US! RUN TO MEET OUR LOVED ONES!!!! Pray, Pray, pray with renewed vision, pray with renewed hope and confidence, be fully persuaded! Enter His courts with thanksgiving, thank Him AHEAD of time! Thank Him that they didn't fall any farther, thank Him that He kept them, and is making something beautiful out of us and out of them!, Thank Him!

My PCs woes continue, but, there is NO way to keep me from putting out what God puts on my heart!

Much love!

Enter Into His Gates with THANKSGIVING!!!

"MAKE A joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!

Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!

For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations."

Psalms 100 Amplified Bible

Today is a run around crazy day! But, I didn't want to miss today on here, especially knowing I won't be on the PC again until Saturday. So much I want to say, but the MOST important thing I want to share is I wouldn't have the grace to type on here today if it wasn't for this Psalm, this mindset. He brought me out of a season through focusing on Joy, then understanding the "chokers" of Joy, and the need to FOCUS on our Source of Joy, and then the icing on the cake was THANKING Him, in ALL things there is always something I can thank Him for! I approach Him daily and throughout the day, and I approach Him in THANKS! Not deep and probably sounds condescending to say to you, but, I just had to leave you with these thoughts until I get on here and can go visit 'round the net! Because without them, I wouldn't be on here!

Much love!

Being With Jesus!!!

Sickness, oppressive government, bills, loved ones apart from Christ - these winds and waves seek to overwhelm us.

"God thunders with His voice wondrously,
Doing great things which we cannot comprehend.
For to the snow He says, 'Fall on the earth,'
And to the downpour and the rain, 'Be strong.'"
Job 37:5-6 (New American Standard Bible)

Recently, as I read and then pondered the scene of Peter seeing Jesus on the water and then going to Him. I realized something that I really needed! There are many messages I have heard based on the verses of Matthew 14. All of them good and true. But we always focus on the "walking on the water". Our focus when we choose that is earthly, fleshly, and completely understandable. I realize now that Peter was not waiting in that boat all night for Jesus to show up, SO THAT HE COULD WALK ON THE WATER! NOOOO! Peter was waiting for Jesus! They all were. Jesus didn't show up until the 4th watch! It was the literal "darkness before the dawn"! When Peter saw and heard that the figure on the water was indeed Jesus, he wanted to go to Him! THAT was Peter's immediate, heart felt response! He wanted to be with Jesus!

Isn't that what all our hearts cry? What we all crave? Deep calls to deep, He desires to meet with us, and He won't be outdone, if we draw near to Him, He WILL draw near to us! He will overtake us!

Peter walked on the water, because his focus wasn't to walk on the water, his focus was to be with Jesus! I believe that as we draw near to Him, and trust Him for the rest, one day one minute at a time we will rise above the waves, overcome the winds and when we occasionally do begin to take our hearts off of him, and begin to sink, we have but to once again call out to Him, and He will once again draw us to Him. He's faithful like that!

P.S. As I wrote this post I got a message to call someone from Church, long story short, my youngest is going back to church today! AND going back to drumming for Jesus! HALLELUJAH!!!!!