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Posts Tagged ‘trust’

Fear–And Fear Not!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , on March 19, 2015| 1 Comment »

The Bible says, “Fear not”–“Fear not, for I am with thee” (Genesis 26:24 KJV). But the Bible also says, “Fear the Lord.” If God’s Word says, “Fear not,” and yet it also says, “Fear,” which does it mean? The answer is: both.

Fear is a twofold word. It refers to an emotion marked by dread and anxious concern. But it also means awe and wonder and profound reverence. The latter is the fear that inspires trust and confidence. The Bible calls us to have the latter kind of fear.

When we fear God, we don’t cringe before Him like a prisoner robbed of freedom by a ruthless dictator. Our fear causes us to trust God with respect and trust. It is a reverence that comes from seeing the majesty and holiness and power of our loving heavenly Father.

There is no shame in being afraid. We’re all afraid from time to time. But there’s an interesting paradox here, in that if we truly fear God with all our heart, then we have nothing to fear.

Deuteronomy 10:12 Now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to Love 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.

This concept becomes very clear when we think of it in terms of our earthly father. In a healthy relationship we love and trust our father. We know he will do anything for our best good. We also know that he will watch over us to ensure we act according to his good purpose and rules. We also know he will hold us accountable and punish us when we break those good rules.

Thus we both love and respect (fear) our father. That respect goes with an expectation that we will be both protected held accountable. Therefore we do not have to fear for ourselves because our father is there. But we do know and respect (fear) his sure justice and punishment when we go astray. This too, is for our best good and not to hurt us.

In trust and reverence,

Z Gardener

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LET ME PREPARE YOU

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged on January 28, 2015| Leave a Comment »

LET ME PREPARE YOU for the day that stretches out before you. I know exactly what this day will contain, whereas you will have only vague ideas about it. You would like to see a map, showing all the twists and turns of your journey. You’d feel more prepared if you could somehow visualize what is on the road ahead. However, there is a better way to be prepared for whatever you will encounter today: Spend quality time with Me.

I will not show you what is on the road ahead, but I will thoroughly equip you for the journey. My living Presence is your Companion each step of the way. Stay in continual communication with Me, whispering My Name whenever you need to redirect your thoughts. Thus, you can walk through this day with your focus on Me. My abiding Presence is the best road map available.

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.

When preparing for a wilderness trip, we get maps, compasses, GPS and emergency communication devices. We study and learn about the area in which we will travel. Yet even with all this preparation, we can not know what lies around each turn. We simply prepare the best we can and then deal with what we encounter.

In our spiritual journey, God prepares us with all we need. God knows every twist and turn along the way. He is the map. God already knows the heading we should take and what our location should be. He is the compass and GPS. And God is always in communications with us if we simply turn our thoughts to God.

We simply need to focus on God, spend time with him and keep our eyes on God and follow the path he sets before us. This seems simple, but because we are human, it is difficult to do. We want to decide. We want to lead. And we want to know what is around the next bend. We can follow God to the Eden that was created for us, or we can follow our own path and wander lost in the wilderness.

Are we there yet?

Z gardener

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EVERY TIME YOU AFFIRM YOUR TRUST IN ME

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , on January 26, 2015| Leave a Comment »

EVERY TIME YOU AFFIRM YOUR TRUST IN ME, you put a coin into My treasury. Thus you build up equity in preparation for days of trouble. I keep safely in My heart all trust invested in Me, with interest compounded continuously. The more you trust Me, the more I empower you to do so.

Practice trusting Me during quiet days, when nothing much seems to be happening. Then when storms come, your trust balance will be sufficient to see you through. Store up for yourself treasures in heaven, through placing your trust in Me. This practice will keep you in My peace.

Psalm 56:3-4          When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I will trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

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.

All the trust we build in God is there for us in days of trouble. When we trust God in small things it gives us the faith to trust God in large things. Step by step we learn to place our fate, hopes and dreams in God’s hands. Then we will be girded with strength, filled with courage and covered by God’s protection. In God’s hands nothing is impossible.

Are you in good hands? 😉

In God I trust,

Z gardener

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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

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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

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