Thankful Tuesday

Thankful Tuesday

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10

Today I am thankful for my family &
friends who love me -
JUST AS I AM.

Even more than that –
I am thankful for Jesus’ love; grace; mercy; forgiveness –
That He loves me so much that I can come to HIM “Just as I am” –
And that He loves me so much He doesn’t want to leave me “Just as I am”!
Praise the LORD!

And as I write that I am reminded of the hymn
“Just As I Am”...
We don’t hear that song as much these days as in days gone by!
When this song comes into my mind I am
always taken back to the moment of my public confession of
His Saving Grace in my life!
This hymn was playing at that time –
the little church was packed that morning –
I could feel HIM pulling at my heart strings –
I stepped out and walked to the front of the church!

I can’t imagine my life going in any other direction except the one
He has moved me in!
I am sooooooooooooo thankful for His salvation!

Dear ones,
I pray that your heart knows His grace and His love –
That you know His Salvation!

Blessings on you today as you focus on HIM –
Give Him thanks for what He has done in your life –

Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

SPRING!

What does “Spring” mean to you?
I’ll tell you what it means to me...

No winter jackets!
Sandals!
Capris!
Pedicures!
Flowers in bloom!
Patio doors open to let in a fresh breeze!
Peepers – peeping!
Birds singing!
Green grass growing!
Grass being mowed – ummmm! Such a sweet smell!
The aroma of cow manure in the air! (I like this one too!)
Working in my gardens!
Sitting on the deck with family and friends!
Spending time in the “gravel pit” – [this is what hubby lovingly calls my park area in the backyard!] :0
Sitting on the front veranda swing with hubby and an early morning coffee!
Farmer’s Market starting up again!
Blowing bubbles with Madi when she visits!
EASTER!

________________________ (make your own list!)

Does this not make you grateful for the country you live in?
For the freedom you have to worship God in your home, in a church building,
In your backyard, on the beach, or wherever you desire?
For the fact that spring does follow winter?

I am writing this on Saturday the 28th of March... A gorgeous day – sunshine – warm temps – birds singing – crocuses in bloom! Does it get any better?

YES! IT DOES!
EASTER ARRIVES WITH SPRINGTIME!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
(I memorized this verse as a child just as I wrote it here –
from the King James Version!)

Have you ever wondered why Easter is never at the same time each year?
I wondered this over the years and finally discovered that it has something to do with the full moon in March and April.
Here is my “in a nut shell” explanation – if you want further info you’ll have to go to someone other than me! :0

The Greek word PASCHA or PASCHAL – means Passover / Easter.
The date of Easter is not fixed in our calendar as are other traditional holidays.
A series of complex tables are used to determine the date.
These tables use a lunar month made up of 28 – 30 days. (I always thought a lunar month was 28 days long – but, hey! – what do I know?!)

The PASCAL LUNAR MONTH starts somewhere between March 8 and April 5 ... this is a different determined date every year! 13 days later is the Pascal Full Moon –

Easter will fall on the next Sunday after this full moon!
Easter Sunday being the day that we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection and the victory He has over the cross! This represents eternal life to everyone who believes in HIM!

This is amazing!
Just think about all the knowledge, intelligence, calculation, and planning that have to go into “marking Easter on OUR calendar! “ – every year!
Is that a coincidence?
I think not!

A MAJOR EVENT that marks the Christian Faith does not just “fall into place” on our calendar!

WHOOO HOOO!
HALLELUJAH!
IT IS NOT “JUST ANOTHER DAY”!
PRAISE GOD!!!!

It is a time of VICTORY OVER DEATH!
With the assurance that we too, may have eternal life!
How awesome is that?
Easter gives us HOPE, JOY, COMFORT, and PEACE!
Nothing in the world can provide what Christ’s resurrection and ascension has done for me – for you!

I hope you will spend some time over these next few days reading the
“Easter Account” in the Bible:
Matthew 27 & 28
Mark 14 – 16
Luke 23 & 24
John 18 – 21

Blessings on you Dear Ones!
May His Grace and Peace and Joy fill your hearts!
Ruthie

Weekend Whisperings

That if you confess with your mouth,
“Jesus is Lord,”
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe
and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you confess
and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

MOURNING

First – let me apologize for being late posting this...
time has found a way of getting away from me this week –
I have not been feeling 100% and have been neglectful of so many things!

In the midst of my “stuff” a dear sister has lost her brother –
I know what that feels like! I understand!
I also know the hope of heaven! As does she!
What a blessing it is for us to be able to hang on to that hope!
My prayers are with you, Louise!

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.

Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

Lamentations3:22,23,32,33

Thank You, Father God,
that we can lean on You;
that we can know Your compassion;
that we can rely on Your love;
on Your faithfulness.
Thank You, Father God,
For never leaving us nor forsaking us!
Be with our Sister and the family of the loved one who is now with You!
Give them Your grace...
Love them as only You can!
Thank You, Lord.

Resting in HIM, Ruthie

THE DOGHOUSE!

Our pooch is in the doghouse!
He is misbehaving and Dad has put him there for a time out!

Have you ever been in the “doghouse” with a loved one? What did they do to let you know that’s where you were?
· Not speak to you for a while?
· Give you the cold shoulder?
· Actually tell you that you were in the doghouse?

How did you feel?
· Rejected?
· De-valued?
· Depressed?
· Confused?
· Angry?
· Ashamed?
· Lonely?
· Fearful?

I am wondering if you’ve ever felt like God has put you in the “doghouse”?

I know that God rebukes and chastens us –
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
Revelation 3:19

He wants us to turn back to Him! Here is His promise!
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
Revelation 3:20

I know that God continues to love us – He does not give us the cold shoulder – His love is unconditional! He is a gracious and merciful God!
Hallelujah!

When I FEEL rejected, de-valued, depressed, confused, angry, ashamed, lonely, fearful...
I KNOW these feelings aren’t given to me by my Heavenly Father.
Satan would like me to believe that, but I choose to BELIEVE God’s Word –

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...
Romans 8:1

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns,
once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)

But God, who comforts and encourages and refreshes and cheers the depressed and the sinking,
2 Corinthians 7:6 (AMP)

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:38-39 (AMP)

I encourage you to do some research of the Scriptures to check out the promises that God has given to you!
Knowing these promises will turn your life onto a positive path... Not that your circumstances will change – but your attitude will – as you take them in and fill your heart and mind with them!
Let Him do that for you today!

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious
(kind, merciful and giving favor) to you;
The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually)
Numbers 6:24-26

Resting in Him,
Ruthie

“A Princess Name Is Grammie!”

I have stated many times that I am a Princess!
It wasn’t until a group of women friends and I got together a few years ago to participate in a book study that I, and the rest of us, began to see ourselves this way!

God’s Word tells us we are His children when we call upon Him, and believe in Him!

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13 NKJV

Because I have received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and have placed my trust and faith in Him, I have been given the right – and the privilege – to become an actual child of the King!
A daughter of the King!
A Princess!

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them. ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father; to my God and your God.’”
John 20:17

When Jesus went to the cross for me He paid my price – I accepted Him as my Savior; His Father has become my Father!
I am a Princess!
Hallelujah!

In January my granddaughter and her mom and dad visited with us
for a weekend...
During the church service that Sunday she asked for the little notebook I carry in my purse, and she began to write love notes to us all!
Here is what she wrote for me...

A princess name is Grammie.
I love you.
from Madison.

I will always treasure this note from her.
I have it in my Bible and every time I read it I am reminded of the truth of God’s Word about who I am!

I pray that someday she will believe these words as truth in her life... As a Princess of the King!

Do you believe them for yourself?
Have you accepted His work on the cross for you?
Have you believed In Him and made Him Lord of your life?

I pray that you have – And if you haven’t yet – that you will very soon!
There is nothing like a life lived for Him!

Praying for His Blessing and Peace to be yours today!
Ruthie

Wandering in the Desert

Lots of “stuff” running around in my head this morning!
I’m just sitting here – waiting on God to reveal to me what He wants me to say!

*********
Here Goes!!!!!!!

*********

John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

3 years ago (minus a couple weeks) I started on a Life Style change...
Lost some weight; exercised more than usual for me;
gave up CHIPS for 1½ years;
took an awesome trip;

And then, for some reason, about a year + ago I settled BACK into the OLD routine!
Did you catch that?
I went BACK into the OLD routine...
Eating in the evening; the chips came back;
the exercise fell off; and the weight came on!

*** Sounds like the lyrics to a mournful song doesn’t it? ***
:)

This seems to have been the story of my life –
This issue of my weight has been with me since I was a child!
Diets! You name it – I’ve tried them all!
Lost and gained! Lost and gained!
As I’ve reflected on this lately I’ve realized that I have had a “defeatist attitude” –
Messages such as:
· You’ll never reach goal.
· You never have before so why do you think it’ll happen this time.
· You’re a product of your genes.
· You don’t have the will power to be successful in this area.

I would struggle; I’d beseech God to help me;
I’d tell the devil to take a hike!
I’d be OK for a while and then Satan would get in thru a crack I didn’t even know was there!
That’s what he is like!
Just recently I heard Beth Moore say that Satan will keep us in bondage with a “threat” of something happening...
That was like a “light-bulb moment” for me!
A THREAT!
Here’s is Satan’s threat to me...
· You’re going to fail – again!

So I had given up trying...
And he was winning!
But no more!

Something happened in my brain –
( the Holy Spirit “opened my eyes”)
and I’m on my way out of the desert –
once again!

My questions for you this morning are:
Has Satan been keeping you bondage in an area of your life?
What threat is he holding over your head?
What tactic has he been using to “keep you in the desert”?
Are you ready to start walking in the direction the Lord has mapped out for you?

Dear ones,
Please know that the devil just waits to see how he can get at us!
We need to be constantly aware of his tactics and rebuke him from our lives!
We need to stay focused on God - seeking HIM in everything!
Christ came to give us abundant life ... don’t let Satan steal that from you!

Here’s a poem I wrote about 8 years ago:

Wandering In The Desert

The Israelites wandered for, lo, forty years –
Why did they grumble and cry all those tears?
Their trip should have taken but only 11 days...
Why did they mistrust Him and not listen to His ways?

They looked to their past as a pleasant place to be –
When it really was nothing but heartache and misery.
They failed to see the future as a life filled with Him –
Why were they so silly not to know what was His plan?

He let them wander in, and out, and through the desert land –
Showing to them His might power-
Displaying His awesome hand.

Am I like the Israelites?
Do I wander far from Him?
Do I grumble and complain, and never let Him win?
Do I look to the past as a pleasant place to live?
Do I think He doesn’t know for me what my best interest is?

He lets me wander as He did them,
and shows me of Himself,
and teaches me that life with Him is nothing but the best.

I pray that I will learn from Him the truths to light my path,
That I will know His awesome love;
Hear His still, small voice;
Know Him as the Only One whose peace and grace will last,
And that I will see Him, meet Him, greet Him,
Rest and reside with Him into eternity!
Praise You, Father!

Today - Seek the Lord with all your heart!
Listen for the Holy Spirit’s prompting in your soul!

We used to say this in an elementary English class:
Good, better, best...
Never let them rest.
‘Til your good is better, and your better, best!

God’s BEST is better than anything you or I can imagine!
Surrender to Him today!

BLESSINGS ON YAH!
RUTHIE

HE Will Enable ...

to enable – to give power to!

HIS Truth is that HE will enable me to do anything HE has commanded me to do – thru the power of HIS Holy Spirit!

Philippians 2:13
...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Do you believe this truth, loved ones?
God will enable us to do what HE has called and commanded us to do –
He gives us the grace to be obedient in all He commands!
WOW!
That means I don’t wait for a “feeling” to overtake me –
It means I make a CHOICE to do as God wants me to do!

Mark 11: 25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him so that your father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
* I CAN forgive – because it is a CHOICE!
He will enable me with the power to do so!
Hallelujah!

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
* There is no one I cannot love! – it is a choice; not a feeling!
He will enable me!
WhoooHoooo!

I Thessalonians 5:18
...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you
in Christ Jesus.
* I CAN give thanks in all things! It is a choice! He will enable me!
Praise God!

Hebrews 13:5
...be content with what you have, because God has said
“Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
* I CAN be content in all things – It is a choice! HE will enable me!
AMEN!

James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds...
* I CAN be joyful in my circumstances – it is a choice! He will enable me!
Thank You, LORD!
How thankful I am that I don’t have to depend on my feelings
or my own strength to see me thru each day!
How grateful I am that I have learned that I don’t have to depend on my feelings
to dictate my attitude!
How freeing it is to know that I can surrender it all to HIM –
and be obedient to what He’s called me to!
Through HIS power and strength!
Praise His Holy Name!

Dear ones,
If you are not yet “in this place” in your faith journey,
I pray that you will spend time with HIM,
asking for Him to fill you with His Spirit;
asking for Hs power to make it thru the days and the circumstances
you find yourself in.
Give yourself over to Him and let Him do a work in your heart!

The Lord bless you and keep you today!
Ruthie

March Break

Can you believe it?
It’s that time of year already?
Whoooohoooo!
That means SPRING is just around the corner!

When I worked in Education I really looked forward to this break as it gave me a breather;
time to start spring cleaning; etc.
And it always went tooooooo fast!

Since I’ve had a granddaughter in my life March Break has been a time
for us to spend together –
As it will be this year!
I will be picking her up and bringing her to Yarmouth on Sunday; taking her home on Thursday...
I have cleared my calendar of all other “stuff” and will focus on her!
What a blessing she is in our lives!
J

Why am I telling you this?
Because I want you to know that I won’t be posting anything
the week of March Break – (16-20)
Be sure and check back the following Monday (23rd) as posts will resume then!

I trust and pray that this week will be a time of refreshment and renewal...
God Bless you all!
Thank you so much for your support and love!

Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

God Says – “HOLD ON!”

I don’t know why I feel led to share this with you today...
I was planning on something else, but this is heavy on my heart –
So- I KNOW that God has someone out there who needs to hear these words from HIM today!

Have you ever felt like you were at the “end of your rope”?
You’ve probably heard the old saying that says to “tie a knot and hang on”.
I once heard it said to hang on to the hem of HIS garment rather than tying a knot.
I believe with all my heart that God wants us to Hang on to HIM when times get tough!
He wants us hanging on to HIM all the time!!!
In fact – I have written these words in my Bible next to Psalm 121...
God says – “Hold on! Give me your hand!”

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you – the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and your going both now and forevermore.

I find it hard to describe the peace that settles in me as I read and ponder these words!
All I can say is –
HALLELUJAH!
PRAISE THE LORD!
I pray these words – from HIS Word – will resonate with you for days to come!
Take them in and make them yours!

Dear Father,
I pray for all who are reading this today.
I ask you to send your Holy Spirit to minister to their hearts.
May they Believe and Trust that YOU are all they need!
Father –
Be their Shade; be their Rest; be their Protector.
Watch over them; may they know You are with them thru everything!
Bless them Lord, I pray!
In Your name, AMEN!

Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

WORDS!

Do you believe that words are powerful?

Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has the power of life and death...

WOW!
What I say may bring life to a soul or may cause death!
Have you really taken that truth into yourself and made a decision not to
speak words of death?
Just think what our homes, our relationships, would be like if we CHOSE to speak only words of LIFE!

IT IS A CHOICE!

If you have been the kind of person that seems to only find fault with people and situations, you can change that by changing your thoughts, and then changing your words!

IT IS A CHOICE!

Are you being, or have you been emotionally abused?
Has your self-worth been destroyed by the words of someone in your life?
Do you feel like you’re walking on eggshells around some people?
Do they tell you that you are “stupid”; can’t get it together; everything is your fault?
Or _________________?
[you fill in the blank]

Please KNOW that these words are words of death – spoken by someone who is probably hurting inside – someone who wants to control you – there are no excuses for their behavior!
Sometimes that person is a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a child, even a friend...

You need to KNOW that these words do not speak truth about who you are!
God’s WORD speaks TRUTH!
Speaks LIFE!

Take HIS WORD in and let it be the standard for your self-worth!
KNOW that HE loves you – desires only the best for you!

If you are currently being emotionally abused I pray that you will reach out to someone you can trust – speak to them – let them help you – and begin to see yourself as God sees you.
Make the CHOICE to not believe the words of the abuser and stand firm in your decision!

“Do not be afraid.
Stand firm and you will see the deliverance of the LORD today....
The LORD will fight for you;
you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:13-14

Claim these words for your life today!
I know only too well what it’s like to be emotionally abused... I Praise my God for His deliverance of me!
He fought for me when I could do nothing else but stand still. Thank You, Jesus!

Father God,
I pray for each reader today to grasp the truth of Your WORD!
To KNOW that You will give them victory!
To KNOW that who they are is who You say they are –
not anyone else’s version of it!
Fill them with your truth today, I pray!
In Jesus Precious Name,
Amen.

Standing firm and still, I
am Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Do You Believe This? – Day 2

I just can’t let this go!
You – Child of God – are going to live forever!
Do you believe that?

Just imagine!
A thousand years from now – ten thousand years from now -
you will still be alive –
enjoying awesome fellowship with our Heavenly Father!
Christ has secured an eternal place for you in Heaven!
When your life here on this earth is over – a new life begins!

Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD!

Does that not fill your heart with praise and thanks?
I pray it does!

John 3:16-21
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved.
He who believes in Him is not condemned;
but he who does not believe is condemned already,
because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light,
lest his deeds should be exposed.
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen,
that they have been done in God.”

Jesus Christ went to the cross to give me – you – eternal life!
Imagine!
God saw us in our sin –
Saw us in our need of a Savior –
Saw us as condemned –
LOVED us so much that He decided to remedy this!
Thank you, Jesus!

His sole purpose for sending His Only Son to the cross for us was to save us!
Not to condemn us!
We do pretty good at that on our very own.
We have been rescued!
We have been set free!
No longer rejected!
No longer condemned!
Christ’s blood – shed for me – for you - erases all our sin!
Praise You, Father!
He is the LIGHT!
May He be my reason for living!
My reason for “doing”!
My reason for “being”!
May all who see anything good in me give HIM all the glory!

My eternity started the day I gave my life to HIM –
September 24, 1988 ...
I am so grateful that my life with HIM will never come to an end!
Praise His Holy Name!

When did your eternity with HIM start?
Can you give it a date?
Do you remember the time and place?

Maybe you haven’t taken that step yet.
What’s holding you back?
Do you see hypocrites?
Do you find it hard to believe some of the truths about Christ?
Or are you just in rebellion against God and have decided not to follow Him?

I pray you will KNOW this – beyond a shadow of a doubt...
He loves you right now – just as you are.
You can’t do anything that would make Him love you any more than
He already does!
Nor any less!
He so desires to have you give your heart to Him!
Please do that today!
And then you can say with all assurance that you too will never die!
Praise God!

Loved Ones,I pray for God’s blessing to settle upon you today!
May you have the blessed assurance of eternal life!
May the Light be shining In you and Thru you!
Blessings and Hugs!
Ruthie

Do You Believe This?

John 11: 25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?

These are powerful words –
Do you ever think about what these words mean to you, the believer?
I reflected on these words as I drove home from my daughters on Sunday...
That morning the pastor had preached a message using this Scripture as his main reference point.
I was reminded anew what it means to me that Christ died on the cross for me – that He was resurrected and that He is now in heaven –
AND –
That someday I will meet Him there!
I may die physically but I will not die spiritually!
Do you believe that today?
My body may get old and my heart fail –
but my spirit will leave my physical body and go to be with the Lord.
What a hope that gives me!

2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body,
and to be present with the Lord.

Do I fear dying?
I can honestly say I don’t fear “dying” because I KNOW there is something
far better afterwards.
There are moments when I wonder what my lot will be when it comes to
this event which is appointed to every person!
There is no escape from it!
And, as anyone would say, I don’t want to suffer –
but I have no control over any of that –
God knows what my lot will be....
My desire is to be used of Him thru my living and my dying!

As the pastor said –
“The issue is not whether we’re afraid of death;
the issue is do we have hope after death?”

So dear friends ...

As Jesus asked “do you believe this?
Do you have hope after death?
My prayer today is for each reader to grasp the hope that is in Christ!
May you believe the words of our Lord as I’ve quoted from John 11:25-26!
May this truth be a reality in your life!

Praying for HIS peace and joy to fill your hearts today!
Ruthie

New Year’s Resolution: re-visited

I recall telling you about my New Year’s Resolution for 2009 –
To memorize more scripture - and that I had set a goal for myself of a minimum
of one per month.

I also joined a Stamping Challenge to do a monthly Scripture creation...
and decided to start a Scripture Memorization Journal...
You can check these two sites to see more on this:
http://www.rainbowkreations.blogspot.com/
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

- at “splitcoast” go to "gallery" and put in “Ruthie Hamilton”
and you’ll see all my entries!

The scripture I have chosen for March is this one:
LORD, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD.
Renew them in our day,
in our time make them known,
in wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:2

I believe we can say today that we have heard of HIS fame, of HIS deeds...

and that we stand in awe of them!

Reflect for a moment – what have you heard of His fame and His deeds?
© Souls being saved!
© Addictions being healed!
© Physical ailments being healed!
© Decisions being made to “do the right thing” because Jesus got hold of someone’s heart!
© Forgiveness, Grace, and Mercy being offered to those who have hurt us!
© ___________________________
(you fill in the blank)

He wants to show Himself today as much as He did in the days of Habakkuk the prophet...
I believe we can see His hand everywhere if we would only look for it!
Father God,
I pray for Your revival to start in each heart, and then to take over Yarmouth Town and County!
I pray for things to happen in people’s lives that can only be explained as the work of You - our Almighty God!
I pray for Believers to stand firm and strong in the presence of adversity – knowing that You are in control!
I pray for hypocrisy and mediocrity to be replaced with the fire of the Holy Spirit!
Dear Jesus – fill each one with Your love –
Enable us to be Your workers here on earth!
Thank you...
In Your Name, Amen!

Here is the March page of my journal...


Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made!

Do you believe that you are “fearfully & wonderfully” made?

Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Here is a 6X6 scrapbook page I did the other day for
a year-long challenge entitled
“His Holy Name”.

The attribute of God we were given was CREATOR!
“Elohim” – God the Creator!

He made you, He knows everything about you!

Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.

Meditate on these Scriptures this weekend – praise Him and thank Him for His marvellous creation...

You;
the world and everything in it;
the skies, the stars, and all;
the seas and all the life in them;
every living creature...

and best of all – Know this!
When we come to Him, surrender all to Him, He makes us into NEW Creations!!!

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!

Hallelujah!
Have a restful, Spirit-filled weekend!
Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Seek HIS Truth

The truth is this –
There is a battle going on in our hearts – everyday!

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Satan wants to turn our eyes away from our Father.
He wants to turn our eyes onto the things of the world (idols)...
For me personally, I struggle with food addictions!
Might as well call it like it is!
- I LOVE potatoes chips ... then add some dip!
WOW!
My downfall for sure!

- I also make excuses for not eating healthily!
- For not cooking meals for myself --- and --- and

At the beginning of February I gave all of this to God – Once Again!
And I give HIM all the glory –
- I have not eaten chips for a month!
I have recently been around them and a fleeting thought flew thru my mind
but it was fairly easy to resist! Not because of my strong will-power...
Oh No!!!!!
Because of God’s power!
Thank You, Jesus!
And...

- I have started eating more healthily –
Preparing meals ahead of time –
And being accountable to someone for my habits!

I give God praise for carrying me and helping me to overcome!

Whatever your battle is today He will empower you to get thru it!

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (NKJV)
“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
I will be found by you, says the LORD,
and I will bring you back from your captivity.”

Are you seeking Him with all your heart?
Is there something you haven’t given over to Him yet?
What is “your captivity”?

John 10:10 (NKJV)
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
(Jesus words!)

Make this your meditation over these next days and weeks...
Seek Him...
Let Him work in you!

Blessings on you all!
Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

Seek the LORD

To seek means to go after; to search for; to pursue...
Is this your habit with God?
To seek Him?

Psalm 34:10
The young lions lack and suffer hunger,
But those who seek the LORD shall not lack for any good thing.

This verse tells me that if I try to live by my own wits I may go hungry; I may lack;
But as a believer who seeks after God I will never lack for any good thing.
Wow!
Does that mean He’ll meet all my wants?
No!
It means He will see that my “daily bread” is provided to me ... there may be abundance in other things –
but he will meet my needs...

IF...
See there is a condition here!

I MUST SEEK HIM!

To seek is an action verb – meaning that I have to be involved in the process!
I have to do something!

It’s like when the doctor tells you that you need to exercise more...
You have to do something!
The exercise isn’t going to occur unless you are actively involved in it!!
J

Jeremiah 29:13
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

He promises to be found!
Praise His name!

When?
When I search for Him with all my heart!

Are you seeking Him today?
Is He your heart’s desire?
Do you want His will in your life?
Are you willing to put other things aside and go on this exciting search for HIM?

I pray you are!

Dear Lord,
I ask you to send a special blessing upon each reader today!
Fill their hearts with your love!
Send your Holy Spirit to minister to them in the way only He can do!
Give them an unquenchable desire to seek after You, to search for You!
Speak to them, Lord!
I give each one to You...
And I thank You for the work You will do in each life today!
Praise You, God!
Thank you, Jesus!
In His precious Name,
Amen... and...Amen!

Blessings on you loved ones!
Ruthie

Thankful Tuesday

Actually I’m writing this Monday morning!
But I have to share this with you!

About a year ago hubby shared with our Small Group that I’m like a whirlwind in the morning ... He said, “Hurricane Ruthie hits the kitchen and interrupts my quiet time.” I don’t remember the context of that conversation.
I hadn’t realized how it affected him but since then I’ve tried to be less stressed about the kitchen in the morning –
to wait for him to depart before I “hit” it! –
or to make sure it’s in order before I go to bed the night before!
One of my “things” is to have the kitchen in order!

This past weekend was his weekend to work for 24 hours straight so when he arrived in the house Sunday I did nothing but spend time with him and Buster!
Before I went to bed I made a list of things I needed to do today!
Not because I didn’t know what I had to do – but sometimes my lists will keep me on track!
Of course, one of those was to empty the dishwasher and clean up the kitchen!

For some reason I slept a little later in the morning – could be that our sleep was interrupted a few times by a new puppy who awoke and whined thus
waking me periodically!
When I came downstairs into the kitchen hubby had emptied the dishwasher and cleaned up everything!
I said, “Honey, you didn’t have to do that!”
And he replied, “Just thought I’d calm the storm!”
Of course, we had a good laugh over that!

I am so thankful for him – I get frustrated with him at times, but I have to remember that God brought him to me – I recall us both saying that we were an answer to prayer for each other!
And, he has brought more humor into my life than I had before meeting him!
I have learned to “relax”; to be more accepting; to trust;
I KNOW God placed him in my life to teach me some things...
I am thankful for him; and I’m thankful to God!

Who are you thankful for in your life?
How has God used them to grow you and make you more like Him?
Have you told them how much they mean to you?
Do you encourage them? Lift them up?

Philippians 4: 8
...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.

Tell someone today what they mean to you!
May you be blessed today!
Ruthie

The Potter

When I was a youngster, I would visit my Aunt and Uncle’s and, at times,
I had the opportunity to see them at work at their potter’s wheel!
This started as a hobby for them...
They had all the equipment required to make beautiful pottery...
and quickly became well known for their “Blueberry Pottery”.

Have you ever had the opportunity to watch someone at the potter’s wheel?
It is amazing how they can take a piece of clay, add water, and shape,
and press, and mold the clay into something magnificent!

That is what we are like in the hands of God!

In Jeremiah 18:1-6 God has told Jeremiah to go down to the potter’s house and HE would speak to him there.
In verse 4 Jeremiah saw that the pot the potter was working on was marred...
so the potter took the clay and formed it into a more suitable pot.

How like us –
we come to him marred – broken; soiled; cracked; with all our imperfections –
And He begins a work!
AWESOME!

Jeremiah 18:5-6 ...Then the word of the LORD came to me:
“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand.”

WOW!
God was saying that He could remake, renew Israel.
He would not throw them away – He would reshape them!
Even if it was through disaster –
He could bring newness for them out of that disaster!

There was a time when those words would have frightened me!
Thinking that God was going to re-shape me!

But Hey!!!
Now I so want Him to do whatever He sees fit with me!
WhooHooo!
How freeing is that!

He is the potter – I am the clay!

I am reminded of an old hymn – “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”
(I love some of those old hymns)
Have thine own way, Lord
Have thine own way.
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

I ask myself – “Can you sing those words today with all honesty? Are you yielded and still before Him? Are you ready and willing to have Him do whatever in your life to make you more like Him?”

In Verse 6 of Jeremiah 18 the LORD asks,
“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?
Hummmmmm...
I’m sure He also asks,
“O Ruthie, can I not do with you as the potter does?”
And then He goes on to tell me that I am like clay in His hands!
Thank you Lord!
For Your amazing grace and mercy to me!

I need to be totally surrendered to His work...
to the shaping and the molding.
Am I?
Are you?

There is another song I have heard called
“He Didn’t Throw The Clay Away”
I need to share these words with you as well!
Over and over, He molds me and makes me,
Into His likeness He fashions the clay,
A vessel of honor, I am today,
All because Jesus didn’t throw the clay away.

Dear Ones,
I am praying that each one reading this today has realized this truth!
He is the potter!
You are the clay!
(See Isaiah 64:8)

Tell Him you are ready for change –
Give yourself over to Him;
Allow Him to shape you into His perfect plan for you!
Nothing could be any better than that!

May His perfect peace fill you today!
Ruthie