Thank You for being Persistent in Prayer!

To all my praying friends ...
Thank You for your prayers! I had a much better night last night and actually got some much needed rest and sleep. Bless you all!

I had something almost completed to post on Facebook and just lost it! Go figure! So here I go again in this forum instead!

Every year for probably the past 8 or so I have "chosen a word" to live out in that year; Rather than setting new resolutions that will most likely fall by the wayside in a month or so! The Word that kept niggling at my mind for 2015 was / is HOSPITALITY. The definition for hospitality is "the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors or strangers." Some synonyms are - friendliness, welcome, helpful, warmth, kindness, congeniality, courtesy, generosity, food. The scripture that kept finding its way into my readings and devotions was Romans 12:13 ... "Share with the saints in their need; pursue hospitality." This was going to be a year of action for me as I shared and pursued!

Most mornings I get up later than hubby - he is a farmer and he is usually up before the birds! One particular morning I came downstairs to find he had left me an encouraging note and a scripture reference from his morning reading of Gods Word. The reference ...Romans 12:12 & 13. Verse 12 states - "rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer." Ummmmmmm ...
Within these 2 verses there is a lot of action going on!

Rejoice in hope
Be Patient in affliction
Be Persistent in prayer
Share....
Pursue hospitality

I quickly came to the realization that God was telling me that until I rejoiced, was patient, and persistent I would not be able to share and pursue. Whoa! I had no idea how I was going to learn these lessons - I thought I pretty much had them, however it seems that God thought differently. In the past 2 months I believe He has "set me aside" to REST, BE STILL, SEEK HIM, and to reaffirm for me once again that until I make HIM the center of it all I can do nothing. I have been afflicted with much pain from a number of different physical things these past couple months and currently feel I am "no good for nothing!"Please know I don't say that in a self-pity way. I am basically a DO-ER... like Martha; Not a SITTER at Jesus feet - like Mary!

Just yesterday someone said to me, "I know you are not feeling good but I want you to know Jesus is shining thru all your work, discipline, and the hurts. When we feel we are down to nothing, God is up to something."
I believe this wholeheartedly. I know He is up to something. And I am excited to see what He is about to do!

So - dear sweet, faithful, praying friends -
I am on a journey with HIM ... and I just want to thank you for journeying this path with me! Hospitality for me has become so much more than fun, food, fellowship..... MY definition is that hospitality is being joyful in all things; enduring affliction with patience because we know that He wastes nothing and that all things work to good for those who love Him; praying continually in all things, thru all things; and He will empower the sharing and pursuing that needs to be done in His Name.

Praying a blessing upon you this morning!
HUGS
Ruthie

2 Timothy 1:12 - ...for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. (KJV)

Joy in the Lord

Nehemiah 8:13 ... The JOY of the LORD is my strength.

I read this quote the other day by Dr. Adrian Rogers -

"Every child of God ought to have a conscious, conspicuous, continuous, contagious joy. 

If you are not living a life of joy you are living below your privilege as a Christian."

Whoa!

This keeps going round and round in my head! 

Conscious -

Conspicuous -

Continuous -

Contagious -

JOY!

Is your joy - Jesus' joy in you - all of these things? If the answer is no, then the question needs to be why?

Take it to Him! John 10:10 tells us that Christ came to give us life and to have it in abundance. That abundant life is evidenced in exuberant joy! Regardless of our circumstances! Yes! Regardless of our circumstances!

My prayer for you today is that you are NOT living below your privilege. I pray you have put Jesus at the center of it all, and surrendered everything to Him!

Blessings on you, dear friends!

Ruthie

"for I know whom I have believed ...."

The Apostles' Creed

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, 

Creator of heaven and earth; 

and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary; 

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell; 

the third day he rose again from the dead;

He ascended into heaven,

and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

From there he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints;

the forgiveness of sins; 

the resurrection of the body; 

and the life everlasting.

AMEN

REJOICE -

John 14:28 ... You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. (ESV)

Philippians 3:1 ... Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. [KJV]

1 Thessalonians 5:16 ... Rejoice evermore. [KJV]

1 Peter 1:8 ... Though you have not seen him, you love him, and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. [NIV]

Jeremiah 15:16 ... Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. (NKJV)

Psalm 28:7 ... The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. (NLT)

Dear Sweet Readers -
Are you rejoicing in the Lord today? HE IS in your circumstances! He will never leave you! He loves you more than you can ever imagine! He IS your strength and your shield; your portion and your protection! Let the truths of HIS WORD fill you with thanksgiving - fill your heart with rejoicing! and may there be a song on your lips - a song of praise to HIM!

Blessings on you all on this beautiful "day that the Lord has made"..... may your rejoice and be glad in it - Pslam 118:24

*** Ruthie

How SWEET Is HIS Presence!

Oh the sweetness of resting in HIm!
                      ... of letting everything go and sitting at HIS feet!
                      ... of leaning on HIM!
                      ... of soaking up HIS Love, HIS Peace, HIS Grace
                             AND - HIS JOY!!!!!

Simple Praise fills my heart and my soul -

Thank you, Jesus, for my life in YOU!!!

You've Got Mail!!!!!

It's everywhere.... and I've bought into it! Have you?
E-mail; FaceBook; Texting; Twittering (I don't do this one); Blackberry; iPhone...
And on and on it goes!

Since getting my BlackBerry I have become aware of every time I get an email or a post on FB...
Along with all the "external" messages we get there is that INTERNAL stuff! The messages we tell ourselves - in our minds - daily.

Lately I've been thinking about all this in relation to the mail - the letters - HIS Written Word .... to me - to us! I don't get an electronic "ping" everytime HE sends me a note... IT IS ALWAYS THERE - for me to go to. What a BLESSING that is to me! Just KNOWING that - BUT - How much more of a BLESSING it is everytime I STOP, READ, MEDITATE, LISTEN to HIS mail! His Word!

He not only speaks thru HIS Word; He speaks thru HIS People; HE speaks HIMSELF! Into our hearts and our spirits!
Psalm 27: 8 ... My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming."

Dear Ones,
Set the FB, BB, iPhone, Laptop, and all that stuff - set it aside for a while today. Listen for HIS voice, HIS whisper into your heart. Contemplate HIS goodness and Who He Is! Allow HIS Word to penetrate your spirit; to bring you Life!

This is my prayer for myself and for each of you as I REST in HIS Awesomeness and Peace!
Blessings,
Ruthie

Christmas

Hope, Love, and Joy!

You will show me the path of life;
In your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11

How thankful I am for His Life; His Joy; His Love; His Hope; His Peace!
May your day be filled with all of these, and so much more, as you live in His Presence!

Now - May the God of all PEACE fill you with His JOY!
Blessings on yah!
Ruthie

JOY!

Singing this morning....
"I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart..
where?
down in my heart
where?
down in my heart!"......

You get the picture...Right?

JOY - keen pleasure or delight; calm delight.

I am soooo thankful today for the calm delight I have in my Lord and Savior!
In the midst of all the "stuff" He has given me His Joy!
Praise His Name!

Determined to keep my focus on all those things that are true and noble and pure and lovely -
(Phil. 4:8) ...
The "joy stealer" isn't havin' any of me today!
Hallelujah!

May your day be filled with peace and joy in the Lord.
May the SON be in your heart!
Blessings sweet ones!
Resting in HIM,
Ruthie

A Cheerful Heart!

Doesn't this guy make you chuckle? I hope so!

Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

There's an old saying - "laughter is good medicine" - or something like that. Have you recently had a good bout of laughter? It does do the soul good, doesn't it? Sometimes, though, life seems too complicated or troubled for there to be much room for laughter.
I don't know about you - but for me - lately - it's been tough to laugh! However, I am seeking His Word and trying to stay focused on the positive things in my life!
I had a friend say one time that even in the midst of all the troubles and tribulations she was going thru she never lost the joy in her heart.... I could see that in her life but I found it a little hard to understand! I KNOW it now!
Wow!

JOY in Him is in my heart - the flame is buring brighter than ever and I am so grateful for that! Even "in the midst"! Thank you, Jesus!
And that gives me JOY for this awesome season we are in ... celebrating His birth! Even more than that though - I am so thankful for HIS life on earth, doing as the Father willed - and - for His New Life to me!

Praise you, Lord.
May this Christmas time be a time of reflection for you - a time of renewal and refreshment - please don't let the world slip in and steal your joy and your peace. Stay focused on Him - and choose to have a cheerful heart!

Blessings on you today, dear ones!
Merry CHRIST-mas!
Ruthie

Jesus - Laughing!

Click on the picture to make it bigger - this was sent to me this morning via email [Thanks Myra!] ... I just had to share it with you all! What a sight to behold! The Christ of Christmas - lavishing love and joy on people! Praise God for this Christmas season. These were found in a seminary in Florida - the author remains anonymous.... they are signed "Jesus Painter" Blessing on you today!
Merry CHRIST-mas!
Ruthie

A Precious Gift!

It's Sunday Morning and I'm not in church - that is so NOT the norm for me but health issues have kept me away today. I went to the book of Isaiah this morning ... and found this picture that I have carried with me since this precious little child was 9 months old! (She is now 7 years old!) I just love how we are looking at each other... she is so precious to me - to our family

But there is a gift even more precious - and that is the gift of our Lord's Son.... He came as a child in a manger; born of a virgin. He came to go to the cross for my sins - for your sins - so we wouldn't have to make the judgment payment. My life is so full with HIM! I can not imagine it being any other way!

Dear ones - if you don't know Him, or you're holding back from a full relationship with Him - this is the day! All you have to do is speak to Him with a humble heart and He will hear, He will listen, He will accept! He already loves you ... so much more than the grandmother in the picture! We can't understand His love for us! I am so thankful for it! Give it all to Him today!

Isaiah 9:6 ...... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Blessings and hugs! Ruthie