Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘faith. spiritual’

YOU WILL NOT FIND MY PEACE

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , on November 3, 2014| Leave a Comment »

YOU WILL NOT FIND MY PEACE by engaging in excessive planning: attempting to control what will happen to you in the future. That is a commonly practiced form of unbelief. When your mind spins with multiple plans, Peace may sometimes seem to be within your grasp; yet it always eludes you. Just when you think you have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws things into confusion.

I did not design the human mind to figure out the future. That is beyond your capability. I crafted your mind for continual communication with Me. Bring Me all your needs, your hopes and fears. Commit everything into my care. Turn from the path of planning to the path of peace.

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.

Proverbs 16:9    In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

Psalm 37:5 NKJV    Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

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.

While we humans do need to plan and set goals in our lives, these things will not bring us peace. They may quieten our anxiety about the future with false security that we have it covered. However, it is only in following God’s plans that we open the door to true peace. 

If we make our plans according to God’s will, and subject to those plans to accommodate God’s guidance, then they can be helpful exercises that serves to bring us some comfort. However, comfort in the moment is not peace.

True peace can only be found in sublimating our will and our plans to God’s. Then we can see the Eden God created for us and live in it in peace, joy and hope each day.

Christ’s peace to you,

Z gardener

Read Full Post »

I DESIGNED YOU

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged on October 30, 2014| Leave a Comment »

I DESIGNED YOU to live in union with Me. This union does not negate who you are; it actually makes you more fully yourself. When you try to live independently of Me, you experience emptiness and dissatisfaction. You may gain the whole world and yet lose everything that really counts.

Find fulfillment through living close to Me, yielding to my purposes for you. Though I may lead you along paths that feel alien to you, trust that I know what I am doing. If you follow Me wholeheartedly, you will discover facets of yourself that were previously hidden. I know you intimately—far better than you know yourself. In union with Me, you are complete. In closeness to Me, you are transformed more and more into the one I designed you to be.

Mark 8:36    

Psalm 139:13-16    

2 Corinthians 3:17-18    

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.

Think of humans as remote controlled airplane kits. God designed us to fly. Yet, unless the plane is assembled according to the maker’s instructions, operated according to the plane’s specifications and powered by the proper energy, it will never fly as it was created to fly.

We are designed to fly; created to be one with God; ready to be assembled into that which God created us to be. When we follow God’s plan, we become the creatures God intended us to be. Then we will discover the real us and the real Eden that God created for us.

Learning to fly,

Z gardener

Read Full Post »

REST IN ME, MY CHILD

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , on October 29, 2014| Leave a Comment »

REST IN ME, MY CHILD. This time devoted to Me is meant to be peaceful, not stressful. You don’t have to perform in order to receive My Love. I have boundless, unconditional love for you. How it grieves Me to see My children working for Love: trying harder and harder, yet never feeling good enough to be loved.

Be careful that your devotion to Me does not become another form of works. I want you to come into My Presence joyfully and confidently. You have nothing to fear, for you wear My own righteousness. Gaze into My eyes, and you will see no condemnation, only Love and delight in the one I see. Be blessed as My Face shines radiantly upon you, giving you peace.

John 15:13    Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Zephaniah 3:17    The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Numbers 6:25-26    The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

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 blessed beyond all measure as children of God. However, being blessed does not necessarily mean we feel” the joy and peace of blessedness. To actually experience this blessed state in our reality, we must devote peaceful time to being with God, thinking about God, meditating on God’s love and promise with confidence. 

This confidence does not arise from our goodness nor our behavior (except time spent with God). It arises from our trust in God;’s words of love and assurance. In fact, this confidence does not arise form any circumstance other than our faith and trust in God. All we have to do is accept God’s radiant love of us and return that love in trust and joy.

Accepting God’s peace,

Z gardener

Read Full Post »

RECEIVE MY PEACE

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , on October 24, 2014| Leave a Comment »

RECEIVE MY PEACE. It is My continual gift to you. The best way to receive this gift is to sit quietly in My Presence, trusting Me in every area of your life.Quietness and trust accomplish far more than you can imagine: no only in you, but also on earth and in heaven. When you trust Me in a given area, you release that problem or person into My care.

Spending time alone with Me can be a difficult discipline because it goes against the activity addiction of this age. You may be appear to be doing nothing, but actually you are participating in battles going on within spiritual realms. You are waging war—not with the weapons of this world, but with heavenly weapons, which have divine power to demolish strongholds. Living close to Me is a sure defense against evil.

Scriptures to read: John 14:27; Isaiah 30:15; 2 Corinthians 10:4.

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.

Be with God. Wage peace. Live happy.

Now,

Z gardener

Read Full Post »

REJOICE IN ME ALWAYS

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , on October 23, 2014| Leave a Comment »

REJOICE IN ME ALWAYS! No matter what is going on, you can rejoice in your Love-relationship with Me. This is the secret of being content in all circumstances.So many people dream of the day when they will finally be happy: when they are out of debt, when their children are all out of trouble, when they have more leisure time, and so on. While they daydream, their moments are trickling into the ground like precious balm spilling wastefully from overturned bottles.

Fantasizing about future happiness will never bring fulfillment because fantasy is unreality. Even though I am invisible, I am far more Real than the world you see around you. My reality is eternal and unchanging. Bring your moments to Me, and I will fill them with vibrant joy. Now is the time to rejoice in My Presence!

Scriptures to read: Philippians 4:4, 12; Psalm 102:27.

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 will we be happy? We can not be happy in the future because it is not here yet, nor in the past that is long gone. No, the only time possible to be happy is now. There is no way around these facts.

So, will we choose to be happy today? Remember this, happiness is a choice, not a circumstance. Now is the time, indeed! 

It’s time,

Z gardener

Read Full Post »

I AM ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO YOU

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged on October 21, 2014| Leave a Comment »

I AM ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO YOU. Once you have trusted Me as your Savior, I never distance myself from you. Sometimes you may feel distance from Me. Recognize that as feeling; do not confuse it with reality.

The Bible is full of My promises to be with you always. As I assured Jacob, when he was journeying away from home into unknown places, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. My last recorded promise to My followers was: Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. 

Let these assurances of My continual Presence fill you with joy and peace. No matter what you may lose in this life, you can never lose your relationship with Me.

Scriptures to read: Isaiah 54:10; Genesis 28:15; Matthew 28:20.

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.

What a comfort it is to know there is someone who will never abandon us, lead us astray or hurt us. Every human being will at some time let us down, no matter how much they love us. Only one will always be there for us.

The good news is, that “one” is the creator of the universe and can do anything. So let us love and forgive all those we know, even when they disappoint us or hurt us. And let us turn to God for the perfect love that never fails, fades or falters.

Beloved,

Z gardener

Read Full Post »

ACCEPT EACH DAY

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged on October 17, 2014| Leave a Comment »

ACCEPT EACH DAY exactly as it comes to you. By that, I mean not only the circumstances of your day but also the condition of your body. Your assignment is to trust Me absolutely, resting in My sovereignty and faithfulness.

On some days, your circumstances and your physical condition feel out of balance. The demands on you seem far greater than your strength. Days like that present a choice between two alternatives—giving up or relying on Me. Even if you wrongly choose the first alternative, I will not reject you. You can turn to Me at any point, and I will help you crawl out of the mire and discouragement. I will infuse My strength into you moment by moment, giving you all that you need for this day. Trust Me by relying on My empowering presence.

Scriptures to read: Psalm 42:5; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Jeremiah 31:25

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 trust only ourselves, we have no one to fall back on when we fail or fall short. However, when we trust God, we will always have the Creator there with us to catch our fall or lift us up when we fail.

To trust God means to follow God’s directions and yield to God’s will. No matter how much one says they trust God, the proof is in the actions and feelings, not the words. So today, let us accept with grace the day we face while we turn to God for our direction and actions.

Then we will find all the strength and insight we need to live in the Eden created for us.

In God we trust,

Z gardener

Read Full Post »

TAKE TIME TO BE STILL

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , on October 16, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Take time to be still in My Presence. The more hassle you feel, the more you need this sacred space of communion with Me. Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax in My holy Presence while My Face shines upon you. This is how you receive My Peace, which I always proffer to you.

Imagine the pain I feel when My children tie themselves up in anxious knots, ignoring My gift of Peace. I died a criminal’s death to secure this blessing for you. Receive it gratefully; hide it in your heart. My Peace is an inner treasure, growing within you as you trust in Me. Therefore, circumstances cannot touch it. Be still, enjoying Peace in My Presence.

Psalm 46:10   “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Numbers 6:25-26   “The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Author’s note: The Good Morning Garden will begin following a new author as we take a break from the wonderfully deep and profound C.S. Lewis. The new author is writing from God/Jesus’ point of view, speaking to us, their family. They are sent to me each day from the couple who inspired the Good Morning Garden. You will see immediately where the name of the Garden originated. Thanks and blessings to the Good Morning, Lord ministry for the many times they have ministered to so many.

Being still is not easy for many of us, especially we AAA type personalities. Our culture engulfs us in a tide of busy-ness. This makes it most challenging to hear the “wee small voice” amid the din of modern life. Yet, it is in this quite voice which speaks from our depths, that God makes his will and light known to us. 

It is in the quiet mode that insight, knowledge and understanding awaken, hear and understand that voice. It is the real us speaking, and it takes disciplined effort to hear it above life’s whirl. In fact, unless it is more important than virtually anything else in our lives, most of us will hear it seldom and heed it less. 

The good news is that God put that voice in each of us. Once we turn our ears to hear it, turn or eyes to follow it and turn our hearts to love it, God promises to cover the rest. That includes the peace that most of us regard as true happiness.

Listening,

Z gardener

Read Full Post »

BE PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR ME

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , on October 14, 2014| 1 Comment »

BE PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR ME, in My Name. All suffering has meaning in My kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing your circumstances bravely–even thanking Me for them–is one of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of joy throughout heavenly realms. On earth also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles.

When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems. Instead, accept adversity in My Name, offering it up to Me for My purposes. Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to Me. Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness.

James 1:2-4    Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Psalm 107:21-22    Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

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.

It is the natural instinct of every living thing to avoid suffering and trauma. There is nothing wrong with that and in fact, that instinct is critical to survival. The key to suffering and trauma, when it does enter our lives is how we view and handle suffering.

Wen we view it as a way to express true faith through praise and thanks to God, the blessing(s) hidden within the pain emerge. Then we can see the good that comes from our suffering and perseverance. These in turn propel us further along the path of spiritual maturity. Along that path, and at it’s end, are joy, peace and oneness with our creator. 

Giving thanks,

Z gardener

Read Full Post »

TRUST ME ENOUGH  

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , on October 13, 2014| 1 Comment »

Trust me enough to let things happen without striving to predict or control them. Relax, and refresh yourself in the Light of My everlasting Love. My Love-Light never dims, yet you are often unaware of My radiant Presence. When you project yourself into the future, rehearsing what you will do or say, you are seeking to be self-sufficient: to be adequate without My help. This is a subtle sin–so common that it usually slips unnoticed.

The alternative is to live fully in the present, depending on Me each moment. Rather than fearing your inadequacy, rejoice in my abundant supply. Train your mind to seek My help continually, even when you feel confident to handle something by yourself. Don’t divide your life into things you can do by yourself and things that require My help. Instead, learn to rely on Me in every situation. This discipline will enable you to enjoy life more and to face each day confidently.

Psalm 37:3-6  Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

This message came today from a devotional that inspired the Good Morning Garden. This writer could not think of a better message to share today.

 Living in the present is greatly facilitated by; counting our present blessings, fully experiencing all of our present reality, learning from the past without living in it or reliving it  and anticipating future blessings by creating present blessings in doing good.

 While the ask is heavy, the rewards are the most valuable thing a person could secure. The desires of our hearts, safe pastures, justice and righteousness. That’s a good deal.

 Trusting enough,

 Z gardener

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »