Heavenly Father we thank you for allowing us see this year's end and enter into a brand new day, a day that allows us to experience the start of a new year. We're crossing over a brand new threshold filled with your possibilities and promises. We humbly come before you, like my Grandpop Ellsworth with his hat in hand! We too have hearts filled to the brim, with Thanksgiving for 2016's peak and valley experiences. Surely it was because of your magnificence-your outstretched hand that kept us. God you allowed us to witness your love in action and to realize "an in-spite of" growth! Through life's upsets we now have a new understanding that blessings delayed were and are not blessings denied! Thank you for the uncomfortable challenges, and adversity! You taught us patience and provided us with your unmerited grace. Your love is our elixir. We appreciate that your will is done in our lives and in those that matter to us.Yes Lord we will rely on you! We entrust our lives to you and will not be afraid! Give us greater wisdom and joy for our 2017 journey. We seek you and your kingdom as we declare:The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? No weapons formed against us will prosper! We decree that we are victors in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
Shared with a Transparent Heart,
Linda Mose Meadows, Author of the devotionals:
The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises;
Destined to Receive, Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God
I praise you because I am
fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
(NIV) Psalm 139:14
Thank you for
making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know
it. (NLT) Psalm 139:14
There are so many confounding labels and marketing campaigns attempting to redefine and label us. Just watch a football game or a reality show, and count the endless commercials, observe and listen to their messages, can you detect what's for sale? And be oh so careful because when you decide to go shopping your carts will be filled with items that you hadn't initially intended on purchasing! The marketing guru's are very convincing! Print media does a fine job at selling us things, especially our children! We fall prey and before long we have adopted the subliminal advertisers messages. Their techniques are subtle but effective and we tell ourselves that we can't live with out the electronic gadgets, the food, and the "gear". Advertising is a billion dollar industry creating slick, sleek, eye catching ads which work tirelessly to bribe us into believing that we can be better, smarter, thinner and accomplished if we have "their" brand, "their" products and "their" services. But it's never free, it costs and there are consequences! If only we buy the right make-up, the bigger bling, the smart and fashionable furnishings, the expensive perfumes and the correct fiber foods-whatever the day's hot commodity is, once acquired, then and only then will we "A-ok" !
But when the rubber meets the road and life's issues begin to take precedence over the mounting acquisitions of more stuff, and none of it does the trick for addressing our personal and spiritual development. So what does? What will and can be replaced with our retail therapy, cluttered mindset and desire to have more? I believe I know what can halt the thirst or quench and deliver or parched souls. Possibly it's an elixir of truth about who's we are and to whom we belong. You need not spare any of your hard earned dollars, just know that your bill was paid at Calvary. Jesus did it for us! There are no price comparisons required or merchandise to be had. Only requirement that you need embrace is a willing heart, a renewed mind and an active search-a knocking if you will, a heartfelt searching! Yes, we need only participate in searching for an everlasting truth! A truth that beckons us to embrace a life sustaining friendship where if we knock God answers.
Keep on
asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will
find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. NLT Matthew 7:7
"Knock and the door will be open." Try an application of divine love. Love that delivers us and answers to questions that your soul is begging for! The advertisers dare not convey your beloved identity! If they told you, you'd have no need for their stuff, their trinkets, their clothing, their lipsticks, their enhancers and certainly not their footware. Just think of what the Divine desires to share with you regarding your true identity and purpose. Oh my friend, it exceeds the messages we are daily bombarded with. Your are more then adequate in Jesus Christ-triumphant, energized and delievered! Think of what God offers you and yours as a heathy alernative, a Holy Ghost elixir an infilling that will never rust or corrode. Here are several encouraging bible scriptures that will delight your very being! Scriptures that reveal who we are in Christ Jesus and what a King and Lord that is in love with you, thinks of you and me!
Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, He dwells in us
1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19
We are joined in the Lord and am one spirit with Him .
1 Corinthians 6:17
God leads us in the triumph and knowledge of Christ .
2 Corinthians 2:14
The hardening of our mind has been removed in Christ .
2 Corinthians 3:14
We are new creatures in Christ .
2 Corinthians 5:17
We have become the righteousness of God in Christ .
2 Corinthians 5:21
Truly it's personal! And does it ever take work focusing on our personal, spiritual development!
But the benefits outway the failed attempts to kill our progress. The benefits indeed are powerfully positive-our generations to come will reap the harvest because we are heathy and generational bondages won't be able reek havoc. There's not a thing that the advertisers can sell me that God won't and can't provide. But we must seek Him, pray for continued guidance and sustenance! Come on friends let's stay connected to the tree of life. It's all in the Bible, the Holy Scriptures! God reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made! We rejoice in the commitment of our growth! Thank you Lord for the awakening our spirits, We are who you say we are!
We have been made one with all who are in Christ Jesus .
Galatians 3:28
We are no longer a slave but a child of an heir .
Galatians 4:7
We have been set free in Christ .
Galatians 5:1
We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places .
Ephesians 1:3
We are chosen, holy, and blameless before God . Ephesians 1:4
Walter Hawkins and Donnie McClurkin - Thank You
Praise Him, Praise Him! Linda Mose Meadows, Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing, A devotional Journey of Life's Lesson's and God's Promises
Do you remember these contemporary gospel groups: Men of Standard and Commissioned? I sure do love their ministries. I'm Standing In Your Will is the song that just seems to hang on in my spirit! Visit Youtube and have a personal praise fest! Rock and praise God with the gospel musical explosion of these balladeers. Several of them have ventured out and made solo careers for themselves. It's evident their sure foundation remains in Jesus Christ. Their lyrics still continue to encourage my heart!
Oh my, there were many early morning prayer and worship opportunities when I lived in Buffalo that I’d beat a path to Calvary Church now Elim and partake in a spiritual revival. This was before I reported to work at 8am! The revival was in the form of an early morning corporate devotional opportunity to engage in spirit filled prayer, praise and worship – invariably a song by Commissioned would be sung. And my friends it was all over but the shout!
You had to be there to experience it! Powerful! Yes, theses were powerful celebratory appointments with God!
This morning I am crisscrossing back down memory lane in my midmorning praise and worship thanks to Youtube, my holy scripture, a heartfelt prayer crafted with affirmations of scripture. And wouldn't you know it, some sweet memories of home would result. It's a warm 90 plus degrees outdoors now. No fret about warming up my car because of the frigid weather with icy and snowy roads to navigate. Yep, no beloved friends to squeeze into packed pews with, and no anointed psalmist to usher us into that inner sanctum. But, worship still occurs!
Thanks be to God, I am not alone as I sit in my kitchen reflecting and realizing that God dwells with me. There's revelation that I have the Holy Spirit. You too? This is a new level of praise and worship, quite intimate, it's a phenomenal gift. It's my opportune time to draw closer to Jesus. It’s some years later since Elim, and instead of congregating with others, I now find myself carving out me time daily with Jesus-reading my morning devotionals of The Blessedness of Believing, A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God’s Promises by none other-me, Linda Mose Meadows (His Power At Work Within Us pg. 220) which celebrates our reliance on God and God’s divine power and love within us. The reference scripture:
Ephesians 3:16-21
New International Version (NIV)
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
and Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Young’s particular reading is written in the first person as though God were speaking and God encourages in this devotional to “Let me prepare you for the day that stretches before you…” The reference scriptures are:
Exodus 33:14
New International Version (NIV)
14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
John 15:4-7 John 15:4-7
New International Version (NIV)
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Commissioned - King of Glory + Let Me Tell It
I once again realize that in this new leg of my journey, that the Paraclete (Holy Spirit) abides, remains, revives, restores and renews my/our weary beings. Yes, we have a beautiful companion, a loving protector! We are not alone and can hold dear in our hearts those former days of biblical teachings and worship experiences which were designed to prepare us for these complex present days and moments ahead. Today’s readings are love notes that strengthen my soul. My spirit utters, "I'm going to make it! I'll survive this!" The Holy Spirit whispers through prayer and scripture that I am connected to the vine, my branches will not wither, droop and die in the heat of the day because of the divine commission and the blessed pronouncement that God’s presence is with me and you my friends!
You also can grab hold of this intimacy! Come on and be revived, tuck the scriptures in your heart! Dance in your prayer closets, your living rooms, close the doors to your office and breathe in this new numa, this restorative breath of life! Thank you Heavenly Father! Lord, we have a new level of love and appreciation for you! Thank you Jesus we are equipped stand ready for your arrival!
Commissioned - Will You Be Ready
Thanksgiving for a New Season!
Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly & Empower Magazine Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine
“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.” saith the Lord.
Psalm 91:14-16
My son phoned from his internship today with that frantic undertone in his voice. My mother instinct kicked in when I heard his voice. He tried to mask it with a cordial “Hi Mom!” but I knew better. Finally we got to the heart of the matter, he needed money for food and I really don’t have to tell you that it was only several days ago that my paycheck was received and now there is little indication in my account that I was even paid. I honored his request the way most of our parents do and sailed to the convenient branch banking location in my neighborhood supermarket to deposit something in his account.
"Thank you Lord God!"
I chatted with my favorite Bank Teller/Manager and after we discussed favorite travel spots, she too got to the heart of the matter- the words fell from her lips, I am sure unrepentantly, that her husband was returning to the Middle East for his third tour of duty. I learned that after I inquired: “Hadn’t he already been?” My heart sank when she shared a faint smile. This smile belied the apparent truth that her heart was very heavy about her husband's approaching departure date. I promised I’d pray for them.
After leaving the bank/supermarket with a few grocery items that had shot up in price in a week’s time, I just shook my head in amazement. There was one more stop before going home. I drove to my neighborhood Shoe Repair Shop that had not been maintaining their usual business hours. I quickly ran in the shop surprised that the door was ajar and wondered why there had been a sign on the door with the handwritten words Closed for several weeks?
The young proprietor confessed in an apologetic tone that his family was facing difficulty and he now worked elsewhere during the day. He shared that financially they were having difficulty paying their mortgage and his elderly mother now covered the shop. This was a rough patch! Once again I knew well about mortgage woes. But friends what really resonated in my spirit were when the young man said, "But it’s going to be all right I guess!” Without a doubt these are some of the most difficult times that this many people have encountered simultaneously in a while. It feels like more than a pinch, it’s often a strangle hold to stay afloat making a living. Yes, indeed it’s rough-it’s real, it’s personal hardships on an intimate level!
As our elders would utter,” But God!"
"But for the love of God!" "But for the supernatural provision of God!" "But for the undeniable grace of God!"" "But for the beauty of God’s word which reminds us that His love never foresakes us!"
Imagine an abiding love for you-his children. A love not predicated on status, religion or pedigree. No matter the personal attacks, innuendos hurled and/or the tumultuous hardships experienced God's wonderful supply of protection, grace and mercy is evident. Daily we can abide under His care: His Lordship! Wouldn’t you agree it’s comforting to realize this? His deliverance and most assuredly His love and shelter will protect us even in the rough places.
Hang on friends and tuck this in your hearts:
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is [our] my refuge and [our] my fortress [our] my God in who I trust.” Psalm 91:1, 2
Enjoy on :Youtube Tonex and Kirk Franklin -God Has Not Forgot
Peace and God's Abundant Blessings To You, Linda Mose Meadows, author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s and God’s Promises http://www.blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/ http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/ http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/
