Good Morning Garden

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

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.

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

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

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

IN ORDER TO HEAR MY VOICE, you must release all your worries into My care. Entrust to Me everything that concerns you. This clears the way for you to seek My Face unhindered. Let Me free you from fear that is hiding deep inside you. Sit quietly in My Presence, allowing My Light to soak into you and drive out any darkness lodged within you.

Accept each day just as it comes to you, remembering that I am sovereign over your life. Rejoice in this day that I have made, trusting that I am abundantly present in it. Instead of regretting or resenting the way things are, thank Me in all circumstances. Trust Me and don’t be fearful; thank Me and rest in My sovereignty.

1 Peter 5:6-7  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for 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.

In keeping with our Advent reflections, today’s meditation illuminates a path free of the darkness we are to cast away during this season of preparation. As we follow this path, God’s light drives out the darkness. It is not we who overcome darkness, but God’s presence manifesting his light through our trust and faith. 

When we trust God we will not be fearful. When we thank God we will rest in his power. When we rejoice and thank God for all things, we will see God’s shining face unhindered and darkness will be overcome with light

Trusting the light.

Z gardener

LET THANKFULNESS RULE in your heart. As you thank Me for blessings in your life, a marvelous thing happens. It is as if scales fall off your eyes, enabling you to see more and more of My glorious riches. With your eyes thus opened, you can help yourself to whatever you need from my treasure house. Each time you receive one of My golden gifts, let your thankfulness sing out praises to My Name. “Hallelujahs” are the language of heaven, and they can become the language of your heart.

A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles. Instead of trying to be in control, you focus on Me and what I am doing. This is the power of praise: centering your entire being in Me. This is how I created you to live, for I made you in My own image. Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness.

Colossians 3:15      Let the peace of Christ rule your hearts. . . . and be thankful.

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.

May thankfulness rule in our hearts and open our eyes to see all of God’s glorious gifts this day and every day, Amen.

Z gardener