Good Morning Garden

WALK PEACEFULLY WITH Me through this day. You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you. You must traverse this day like any other: one step at a time. Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step. 

The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me. This is a training opportunity, since I designed you for deep dependence on your Shepherd-King. Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.

When you don’t know what to do, wait while I open the way before you. Trust that I know what I’m doing, and be ready to follow My lead. I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with peace.

Exodus 33:14         The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Michael & Alison Smitherman

The Singing NetSurfers

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing

praise to my God while I have my being.

We are told to trust and wait. That is very hard to do when sadness and hurt weigh us down. But if we turn to God and seek God’s way, we will have a way opened to us. And that way will give us strength and peace as we follow God’s will. Then we can take the next step…and all the steps that follow with confidence, grace and gratitude.

Step By Step,

Z gardener

Author’s note: It is my prayer that each of us end this year in light with joyful anticipation of the coming year. May God bless us each and every one.

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LINGER IN MY PRESENCE A WHILE. Rein in your impulses to plunge into the day’s activities. Beginning your day along with Me is essential preparation for success. A great athlete takes time to prepare himself mentally for the feat ahead of him before he moves a muscle. Similarly, your time of being still in My Presence equips you for the day ahead of you. 

Only I know what will happen to you this day. If you are not adequately equipped for the journey, you will grow weary and lose heart. Relax with Me while I ready you for action.

Hebrews 12:3         Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Michael & Alison Smitherman

The Singing NetSurfers

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing

praise to my God while I have my being.

No better time can be spent than time spent with God. It is the “one thing” that ensures our best good.

In the presence of the Lord,

Z gardener

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DO NOT EXPECT to be treated fairly in this life. People will say and do hurtful things to you, things that you don’t deserve. When someone mistreats you, try to view it as an opportunity to grow in grace. See how quickly you can forgive the one who has wounded you. Don’t be concerned about setting the record straight. Instead of obsessing about other people’s opinions of you, keep your focus on Me. Ultimately, it is My view of you that counts.

As you concentrate on relating to Me, remember that I have clothed you in My righteousness and holiness. I see you attired in these radiant garments, which I bought for you with My blood. This also is not fair; it is pure gift. When others treat you unfairly, remember that My ways with you are much better than fair.My ways are peace and love, which I have poured out into your heart by My Spirit.

Colossians 3:13      Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievance you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgives you.

Michael & Alison Smitherman

The Singing NetSurfers

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing

praise to my God while I have my being.

The surest way to overcome unfairness is to forgive the person who is being unfair. In fact, the only way such treatment can truly harm us is if we let it remain within us. By simply choosing to forgive, we have risen above it and converted our mistreatment to a blessing of grace and growth.

For giving,

Z gardener

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AS YOU BECOME increasingly aware of My Presence, you find it easier to discern the way you should go. This is one of the practical benefits of living close to Me. Instead of wondering about what is on the road ahead of worrying about what you should do if . . . or when . . . , you can concentrate on staying in communication with Me. When you actually arrive at a choice-point, I will show you which direction to go.

Many people are so preoccupied with future plans and decisions that they fail to see choices they need to make today. Without any conscious awareness, they make their habitual responses. People who live this way find a dullness creeping into their lives. They sleepwalk through their days following well-worn paths of routine.

I, the Creator of the universe, am the most creative Being imaginable. I will not leave you circling in deeply rutted paths. Instead, I will lead you along fresh trails of adventure, revealing to you things you did not know. Stay in communication with Me. Follow my guiding Presence.

Psalm 32:8     I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Michael & Alison Smitherman

The Singing NetSurfers

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing

praise to my God while I have my being.

So, its about God, not us. Its not about “what should I do?’ It is about “how can I stay close to God?” so I can be shown what to do. The first decision we must make about what to do is to decide whether God is in charge. If so, then all we have to do is stay close.

In the wilderness, we follow a guide. We do not decide which trail to follow. We just listen tot he guide and follow the path as directed. So it is with our lives as we wander in a spiritual wilderness. If we are to be sure of our path, we must follow our guidance from God.

Following close,

Z gardener

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To many of us Christmas really means “getting in the Christmas spirit “. That warm glow in our hearts signaling the coming season. That anticipation for the time when we think of peace on earth and goodwill toward all. The season of giving and receiving love, comradeship and charity. A time for lights and miracle stories and joy. A time for family, friends and memories of Christmases long ago. Yes, all these things and more.

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TRY TO STAY CONSCIOUS OF ME as you go step by step this day. My Presence with you is both a promise and a protection. My final statement just before I ascended into heaven was: Surely I am with you always. That promise was for all of My followers, without exception. The promise of My Presence is a powerful protection.

As you journey through your life, there are numerous pitfalls along the way. Many voices clamor for your attention, enticing you to go their way. A few steps away from your true path are pits of self-pity and despair, plateaus of pride and self-will.

If you take your eyes off of Me and follow another’s way, you are in grave danger. Even well-meaning friends can lead you astray if you let them usurp My place in your life. The way to stay on the path of life is to keep your focus on Me. Awareness of My Presence is your best protection.

Matthew 28:20      “And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Michael & Alison Smitherman

The Singing NetSurfers

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing

praise to my God while I have my being.

Keeping our focus on God is like a captain keeping his focus on the ship’s compass. God is our compass, and just as the ship is in danger of being lost or crashing on the rocks if the captain loses focus on the compass, so too are we in danger if we are not constantly aware of God’s presence. That focus on God is our protection, and it will keep us from danger as it bring us to our best harbor when we stay on God’s course.

In this season of preparation and anticipation, let us remember from where we came, and may God’s light illumine and guide our direction going forward. 

Focused on the compass,

Z gardener

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YOU HAVE BEEN on a long, uphill journey, and your energy is almost spent. Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of My hand. I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me. There is one thing, however, that displeases Me: your tendency to complain.

You may talk to Me as much as you like about the difficulty of the path we are following. I understand better than anyone else the stress and strains that have afflicted you. You can ventilate safely to Me, because talking with Me tempers your thoughts and helps you to see things from My perspective.

Complaining to others is another matter altogether. It opens the door to deadly sins such as self-pity and rage. Whenever you are tempted to grumble, Come to Me and talk it out. As you open up to Me, I will put My thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart.

Philippians 2:14-15       Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

Michael & Alison Smitherman

The Singing NetSurfers

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing

praise to my God while I have my being.

One form of darkness that plagues us is grumbling and complaining to others about our circumstances. As does all darkness, griping creates opportunities for more darkness such as self-pity, scorn, condemnation and rage. Of course, the antidote to this darkness is turning outward to God’s light.

When we open up to God with our difficulties, light begins to enter the darkness and will overcome it. The light of tolerance, patience, understanding and peace. will replace the self-centered darkness of intemperance and bitterness. Then we can let go of our complaint because God has opened our eyes and hearts to the joy that awaits us through God’s love and protection. Then we can rejoice in all things with God’s thoughts in our mind and God’s song in our hearts.

Turning to God,

Z gardener

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WORSHIP ME ONLY. I am King of kings and Lord of lords, dwelling in unapproachable Light. I am taking care of you! I am not only committed to caring for you, but I am also absolutely capable of doing so. Rest in Me, My weary one, for this is a form of worship.

My invitation never changes: Come to Me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest. Worship Me by resting peacefully in My Presence.

Matthew 11:28    “Come to me, all you who are weary and heaven laden, and I will give you rest.”

Michael & Alison Smitherman

The Singing NetSurfers

I will sing to my Lord as long as I live, I will sing

praise to my God while I have my being.

Whatever our burden, wherever we find ourselves, regardless of our circumstances, God is taking care of us. The light of God’s love is filling us with all we need. There is nothing that can overcome this love and this light. No, neither pain, sickness, even death can not separate us from this love and light. All we have to do is let the light in and to trust God’s love in all things.

As we face our own darkness in this season of anticipation, as we prepare for the coming of the light, Father, let us feel the peace of your love. Remind us that you are taking care of us, and give us rest and joy in your presence.

Feeling God,

Z gardener

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