2nd post for Monday

I just have to post this NOW!
God has blessed me in the past 2 hours... my goal for this morning was to dust and vacuum the downstairs ... and to wash the floors.

As of right now:
# 208. I have dusted and vacuumed the whole downstairs of this big old house with minimal pain - and I feel GOOD! Thank You, Jesus! I will do the washing part in a few moments! :)

Praise Your Name!
Ruthie

Thankfulness!

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

201. Sharing God's Word with a baby Christian!

202. Reading the word and Praying with hubby!

203. A sense of serenity and balance.

204. Hearing the birds sing.

205. Laughter

206. Hugs

207. Dirty windows - this means the sun is shining! :)

Father God,
I am so blessed today! Help me to keep my focus on You, and on those things that are true, and noble, right, lovely and pure. Thank you for sun shine today! Thank you for Your Son!!! Be with those reading this today - may they see You in the places they go, in the conversations they have, in the people they meet. I give You praise for Who You are! Thank you, Lord.
Amen.

Blessings on you all today!
In HIM,
Ruthie

Amazement

To be amazed is to be overwhelmed with surprise or wonder.
What does it take to "amaze" you?

• a newborn baby
• a toddler playing
• a mom breastfeeding her babe
• a lovenote from my grandchild
• seeing loved ones exhibit HIS peace in the midst of trials
• experiencing His joy in the life of a new Christian
• witnessing the strength of God in the life of one who has lost a spouse
• new flowers peeking out of the gorund
• beautiful sights of nature
• witnessing someone walk after being in a wheelchair for 4 years!
• my husband asking me to pray with him!

These are just a few of the things that amaze me! Each one of these is because of God and His work in my world. Hallelujah! Praise His Name!

Luke 5:26 - Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

Can you say these words today? I pray that you can; that you will stop, take a moment or two, look around you and be filled with awe. Don't let the trials and hardships, or busy-ness steal your joy in the Lord; or steal the peace that only He can give.

Blessings on you today sweet ones!

Ruthie

Your Prayer Has Been Heard!

As a church family we are reading thru the Book of Luke for 40 days prior to the Easter celebration. In reading Luke chapter one we are told that an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah (husband of Elizabeth) when he was serving as priest before God.

Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name of John."

The words "your prayer has been heard" popped out to me fresh and anew!
Do you ever wonder if He hears your prayers?
Do you ever wonder if He listens to your pleas for security, for safety, for healing, for circumstances to change?

Dear Ones,
KNOW THIS - HE HEARS!
He knows everything your heart desires before you even know it!
He knows the words you're going to speak before you even speak them!

Jeremiah 29:12
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."

Whoa! He tells us He will listen to us - He hears us!

Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Psalm 6:6-9
I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.
Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; The Lord accepts my prayer.

My prayer today is that each one reading these words - His Words - BELIEVES that He is the God who hears! Pour your heart out to HIM. He wants you to come to Him and "tell all". He hears and He answers!

Blessings on you, sweet ones, as you draw close to Him!
In Him,
Ruthie

BLESSINGS!

A friend and I had an awesome weekend with daughter, her hubby, & granddaughter... did all sorts of "girlie" stuff. My heart just overflows with thankfulness for His Hand in my life!

190. Prayer - to a LISTENING God!
191 . Lunch with friends.
192. Safe and Secure while the wind and rain bombards us - Psalm 63:4-8
193. Being able to bless others with my "bounty".
194. February 24 - tips of spring flowers peeking thru the ground - WooooHoooo!
195. Seeing a Bald Eagle in the Valley! Awesome!
196. Safety on the road - in terrible rain!
197. Discovering "Cora's"!
198. Finding a "surprise" note from Madison when I arrived home ... "I love you, Grammie. You are a Princess."
199. Canada winning the GOLD in both Women's and Men's Hockey!
200. Quietness and Rest.

Thank You, Lord, for Your bountiful blessings to me!

Praise!

PSALM 63:4-8

I will praise you as long as I live,

and in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;

with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you;

I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help,

I sing in the shadow of your wings.

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

May HIS WORD fill your hearts today!

May you experience HIS PRESENCE as never before!

May HE touch your life and speak into your heart!

Blessings, dear ones!

Ruthie

PEACE --- SHALOM

Peace.
They say God gives peace.
Uhmmmmm.
Wish I could have peace.
My mind is so full of "stuff".
My life is crazy.
How will I ever see my way clear of this situation.
I just have too much to do.
I don't have enough money this month to pay the bills.
The kids are acting out and I don't know how to keep them under control.
He hit me again. I need help!
My babe is sick again.
Oh no! Here he comes and he's been drinking again.
"She" called again... what am I going to do?
They found drugs in Johnny's locker at school.
A grandmother? At my age? This can't be happening to me - to us.

and on and on it goes......
Do these comments conjure up any familair scenarios for you? Maybe they remind you of your present situation. Maybe they remind you of a time past when your felt that peace could never be yours.
I want you to know, dear ones, that God's peace CAN rule in your heart. If your life is full of anxiety and distress - no matter the cause - you CAN have PEACE... the peace of God that surpasses all understanding! And you CAN have it "in the midst"....

Isaiah 9:6 tells us that Jesus is the "Prince of Peace".

John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Romans 5:1 - Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Psalm 139:9-10
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are with us always! Praise the Lord!

These verses just thrill my soul.

I - you - we - can KNOW that He is always with us - guiding and holding us! He is our Safety, our Rock, our Refuge, our Salvation!

Hallelujah!

How do we "get" His peace?

1 Peter 3:11 tells us we must seek it and pursue it. That tells me that I must take some action here.

Isaiah 26:3 tells me that He will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is focused on Him and who trusts Him. Again - action is required.

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

and finally -

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Dear one - God has a peace for you that is indescribable - that is hard to understand until you experience it. However, you must seek after Him; trust Him; give every thing to Him. Tell the enemy to get away; fill your mind with Scripture and with all those things that are true and noble and pure and lovely (Philippians 4:8).

Has God been speaking to your heart today? If He has, I trust you will take some quiet time to spend with Him and allow Him to fill you with His Peace.

May His peace be yours today!
SHALOM
Ruthie