Good Morning Garden

DO NOT LET any set of circumstances intimidate you. The more challenging your day, the more of My power I place at your disposal. You seem to think that I empower you equally each day, but this is not so. Your tendency upon awakening is to assess the difficulties ahead of you, measuring them against your average strength. This is an exercise in unreality.

I know what each of your days will contain, and I empower you accordingly. The degree to which I strengthen you on a given day is based mainly on two variables: the difficulty of your circumstances, and your willingness to depend on Me for help. Try to view challenging days as opportunities to receive more of My power than usual. Look to Me for all that you need, and watch to see what I will do. As your day, so shall your strength be.

Deuteronomy 33:25 NKJV   Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; as your days, so shall your strength be.

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.

Regardless of the challenges we face, the first words and thoughts we should have when overcoming them are “Lord, guide direct and strengthen me”. If we stay focused on God and seeking God’s will, then our best success is assured. And that best good may not be that which we envisioned or for which we longed. But it will be the right way, and it will give us the strength and direction we need to overcome the challenge. It will also become an opportunity to show yourself and the world that God’s power is more than sufficient for all we need.

In dependence,

Z gardener

SIT QUIETLY WITH ME, letting all your fears and worries bubble up to the surface of your consciousness. There, in the light of My Presence, the bubbles pop and disappear. However, some fears surface over and over again, especially fear of the future. You tend to project yourself mentally into the next day, week, month, year, decade; and you visualize yourself coping badly in those times. What you are seeing is a false image, because it doesn’t include Me. Those gloomy times that you imagine will not come to pass, since My Presence will be with you at alltimes.

When a future-oriented worry assails you, capture it and disarm it by suffusing the Light of My Presence into that mental image. Say to yourself, “Jesus will be with me then and there. With His help, I can cope!” Then, come home to the present moment, where you can enjoy Peace in My Presence.

Deuteronomy 31:6         “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake 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.

When we turn our thoughts away from negativity and replace the negative thoughts with thoughts of God, then we allow the light of God’s grace to penetrate us. This not only enlightens our thoughts, but reflects the light of God on everything around us.

As the dark images are replaced with images of light, we can sit quietly with God in Peace.

Letting the light shine in,

Z gardener

WORSHIP ME in the beauty of holiness. All true beauty reflects some of who I am. I am working My ways in you: the divine Artist is creating loveliness within your being. My main work is to clear out debris and clutter, making room for My Spirit to take full possession. Collaborate with Me in this effort by being willing to let go of everything I choose to take away. I know what you need, and I have promised to provide all of that–abundantly!

Your sense of security must not rest in your possessions or in things going your way. I am training you to depend on Me alone, finding fulfillment in My Presence. This entails being satisfied with much or with little, accepting either as My will for the moment. Instead of grasping and controlling, you are learning to release and receive. Cultivate this receptive stance by trusting Me in every situation.

Psalm 29:2 NKJV          Give unto the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

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 passive nature of learning to release and receive is contrary to our culture. Tha’s fine. It just means we must unlearn some bad or unhelpful habits. Time to begin.

Being receptive,

Z gardener

SEEK TO PLEASE ME above all else. As you journey through today, there will be many choice-points along your way. Most of the day’s decisions will be small ones you have to make quickly. You need some rule of thumb to help you make good choices. Many people’s decisions are a combination of their habitual responses and their desire to please themselves or others. This is not My way for you.

Strive to please Me in everything, not just in major decisions. This is possible only to the extent that you are living in close communication with Me. when My Presence is your deepest delight, you know almost instinctively what will please Me. A quick glance at Me is all you need to make the right choice. Delight yourselves in Me more and more; seek My pleasure in all you do.

John 8:29       “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 

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.

When our over-arching priority is staying in close touch with God., then all our decision options will be clearer and our path well defined. It is when our priorities  are about us that our decisions are murky and our path confused.

By seeking to please God instead of ourselves we ensure our best good and walk with confidence into each day.

Seeking to please,

Z gardener

YOU CAN LIVE as close to Me as you choose. I set up no barriers between us; neither do I tear down barriers that you erect.

People tend to think their circumstances determine the quality of their lives. So they pour their energy into trying to control those situations. They feel happy when things are going well, and sad or frustrated when things don’t turn out as they’d hoped. They rarely question this correlation between their circumstances and feelings. Yet it is possible to be content in any and every situation.

Put more energy into trusting Me and enjoying My Presence. Don’t let your well-being depend on your circumstances. Instead, connect your joy to My precious promises:

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.

I will meet all your needs according to My glorious riches.

Nothing in all creation will be able to separate you from My Love.  

Philippians 4:12    I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.

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.

How are we to rejoice in all things when life is full of so many heartaches and concerns? The answer is that “we” are not able to do this without trusting God and his promises. It is through God’s help that we are able to be content even when the world offers little or no contentment or happiness. In fact, if we remain close to God, nothing can take away our peace or joy. And nothing can separate us from God but us.

Un-separated,

Z gardener

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.

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

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