Today's Delight

~The Happy Hungry Heart~

3/20/2012 10:59:00 PM

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psalm 107:9 During my daily reflections, I began to think about a little girl who is in the first grade that passes through our lunch line each day. She is gracious and enthusiastic about the food she receives. She is not finicky or picky at all. She is willing to eat whatever we have prepared. Each day she uses her sweet little chubby hands to make room on her tray for all the things she wants for her hungry little belly. She always eats everything on her tray and then skips merrily off to recess. She brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart each time I have the opportunity to engage with her as she strategically plans out all the space available on her tray. It is truly a delight to fill her tray up to overflowing. As I reflected on these joyful feelings, It dawned on me; I bet our heavenly Father feels the same way when we come to Him with a gracious, enthusiastic heart that is hungry. I bet He is overjoyed when we make room on our spiritual trays for the heavenly food He has prepared. I bet it brings Him delight to fill us up to overflowing. I bet He smiles as He watches us savor each bite. The hungry soul becomes a happy soul! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Journal reflections shared by Shelli. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ENCOURAGE, UNITE, INSPIRE & DELIGHT!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Copyright 2009-2012 all rights reserved

~Spiritual Vitality~

3/18/2012 8:37:00 PM

Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 KJV

~Wisdom to Know~

3/14/2012 11:57:00 PM

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept

the things I cannot change; Courage

to change the things I can; and

WISDOM to KNOW the difference.

Most people are familiar with the Serenity prayer. It came to mind as I was lifting prayer for a friend who has had a trying year. As I meditated upon the prayer, the words 'WISDOM to KNOW' stood out to me and prompted the following:

Dear Heavenly Father grant me 'Wisdom to KNOW'

'Wisdom to KNOW' that In my own strength I can not move a mountain, but as I stand in your presence, I stand in the presence of someone who can.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that with you, all things are possible.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that as my heavenly Father, you hear my prayers.

'Wisdom to KNOW' and recognize when my prayers have become saturated with repetitive begging and complaining.

'Wisdom to KNOW' when I need to ask forgiveness from you or others.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that as a child of you "the Almighty", I am blessed.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that your loving kindness and tender mercies are forever about me.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that you are still in the miracle business.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that all things work together for good to those who are called according to your purposes.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that your word does not return void.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that with you in the drivers seat, I will remain on the correct road.

'Wisdom to KNOW' how to effectively apply the knowledge you bless me with.

'Wisdom to KNOW' how to love and encourage those you send my way.

'Wisdom to KNOW' when and how to respond to a hurting soul on your behalf.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that a teachable spirit is a humble spirit in which you find delight.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that there are some things I just will not know until you call me into heaven.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that we are all created equally in your image and that we are all brothers and sisters.

'Wisdom to KNOW' the power revealed in unshakable faith.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that praise brings you into my presence.

'Wisdom to KNOW' that because I delight in you Lord God, you supply the desires of my heart.

'Wisdom to KNOW' and deal with the things that hinder me from being all that you have planned for me to be.

'Wisdom to KNOW' when something does not line up with your word.

Father, I thank you for 'Wisdom to KNOW' these things and other things you have planned for me and mine.

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Lenten Journey with Jesus passage-

41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 12:41-44 KJV -----------------------------

ENCOURAGE, UNITE, INSPIRE & DELIGHT!!!

Lenten Journey with Jesus

3/12/2012 10:30:00 PM

See Mathew 23:1-39

Lenten Journey with Jesus

3/8/2012 10:45:00 PM

34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. Mathew 22:34-46 KJV

Lenten Journey with Jesus

3/6/2012 10:49:00 PM

27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, 28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. 34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. 39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all. Luke 20:27-40

Lenten Journey with Jesus

3/5/2012 10:25:00 PM

9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. 17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cæsar's. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar's, and unto God the things which be God's. 26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. Luke 20:9-26

Migdal-Oz (A Strong Tower)

3/4/2012 11:26:00 PM

Key Passages:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Psalm 91:1-2

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10

Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. Psalm 61:3-4

Migdal-Oz ( מִגְדַּל עֹז, מגדל עוז) is a Hebrew word describing God as a fortress and a strong tower. It is this strong tower that believers run to for safety. I was reminded of the verses above after receiving an email with a link to view a video of a funnel cloud moving over the home of a praying woman in Kentucky. She prayed the Lord take the storm away from her dwelling and community. Her home remained intact. She used the Lord's name as she prayed. The name of the Lord is her strong tower and she stood firm within the fortress of His promises. I do not claim to know or understand the forces of nature, but I do know that the safest place to be in the midst of destruction or adversity is standing upon the word of God. Through the summer months, I frequently take prayer walks invoking and pronouncing God's promises over our properties and community. Praying His promises is a very powerful affirmation. When our gazebo was completed this past summer, I dedicated and consecrated it as a place unto God. During the many texts and calls from friends and family I received Friday night as the tornado moved through the Warsaw area, I was reminded of those prayer walks. We were not there during the storm, but two neighbors reported seeing the funnel cloud coming over the hill top and basically jumping over our small community. They reported that it was eerie because it was amazingly calm even though the funnel cloud was spotted strikingly close, no wind, no debris, no damage. When we arrived at our place on Saturday to access any damage, there was not one thing blown away or moved from its place as one would expect with a storm that size. I praise God for His faithful protection over me and mine as we pass through the storms of this life, but my heart is saddened for those who have suffered damage and loss. Today I lift prayer and ask God in the name above all names 'Jesus Christ our Lord' to be a shelter, a strong tower to those who are dealing with the ravages of natural disasters that have spun across our country. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

~~~~~~~Something to think about - "A Bible that is falling apart is owned by someone who is not." ~~~~~~~

Lenten Journey Passage

1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen. Mathew 22:1-14 ~~~~~~~~

"Today's Delights" are shared with the intention to Encourage, Unite, Inspire and Delight...

Test

3/4/2012 10:51:00 AM

Sent from my BlackBerry device from Cincinnati Bell Wireless

Lenten Journey

3/1/2012 7:33:00 AM

23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. 27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. Mathew 21:23-32