Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 51 (Friday)

Encouragement Post – Day #51 (Friday) - I can hardly believe that my song list now has over 50 songs!! We have heard an awful lot of talk about freedom lately. And while it has long been a value in our country, we get it wrong so often. What is real freedom? Is it having no boundaries at all and being allowed to do whatever you want to… any whim at any moment? If that were freedom, then the people who go around killing people would ostensibly be living in freedom. In actuality, being subject to the whims of our sinful fleshly desires is utter bondage. We see that bondage played out on a large scale daily as people give in to those desire and wreck their own lives or the lives of others.

Jesus knew what true freedom would mean to us. While here on earth, He lived in total submission to the Father, while being entirely free to do what He desired. These two were one and the same. He desired to do the Father’s will so much that He CHOSE the cross. He was free not to, but He chose it for us because He KNEW it would set us free. Now, because of the cross, as we surrender to Him we find out what true freedom really is. It is abundant life, peace that passes understanding, victory over the bondage of sin, and joy that is unspeakable.

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1

“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18

Update – again thanks SO very much to all who prayed for me. I am significantly better, with just a little twinge of discomfort here and there… day 4 of antibiotics and VERY thankful!!

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 48 (Wednesday)

Encouragement Post #49 - First of all, thank you all for your prayers! I am definitely better today. I love this Psalm and it has really been on my mind today for some reason... maybe it's for you.

Psalm 63
1 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,
7 For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
9 But those who seek my life to destroy it,
Will go into the depths of the earth.
10 They will be delivered over to the power of the sword;
They will be a prey for foxes.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him will glory,
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 48 (Tuesday)

My soul waits for the Lord... If you were wondering where the encouragement posts went these past few days, I have been battling a pretty nasty diverticulitis attack with a tremendous amount of pain and honestly just haven't felt much like looking at a computer. But God is faithful, whether I feel like it or not. I am so grateful for His love and His word. I am hoping to feel better soon, but He SO ministered to my heart through Psalm 130 this morning. When I opened my YouVersion Bible app, I discovered it was today's reading. It was as if He were speaking the words directly to me. And the marvelous thing about Him and His word is that He can speak to you just as personally through the same words.

Psalm 130
1 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord.
2 Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
3 If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is lovingkindness,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
8 And He will redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.