Mums the Word

Have you ever heard or used that expression? It comes from the Old English where the word “mum” meant to remain silent.

Dave and I were having a discussion on our drive Sunday morning where we wondered about different phrases and idioms that are used so when I thought of this phrase this morning I had to look it. Mummers were actors who used no words, basically they were pantomimists. There you have your verbal history lesson for the day.

Last night we were watching a movie of espionage. The main character had to be very careful not to reveal his true identity and his occupation to the people around him. He didn’t know who he could trust so he said very little about himself and was very evasive when asked direct questions. I found myself admonishing him several times to keep his mouth shut.

I bet you thought I was going to be writing about flowers today because of the image I used, right? No.

This morning I found the Holy Spirit admonishing me to choose my words wisely and to keep my mouth shut when necessary. Our words are containers – much like a glass holds water our words hold blessings or cursing.

“Your words can be as satisfying as fruit, as pleasing as the food that fills your stomach. 21 The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.” Proverbs 19:20-21 ERV

Maybe you’ve heard the expression “Keep your words sweet, you may have to eat them”. I feel that is probably an accurate paraphrase of these verses written by King Solomon.

Our heart and our mouth are connected. The things we keep in our heart, good or bad, will eventually be expressed in our words. Jesus knew that and He gave some specific teaching in that regard.

“Every tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. You won’t find figs on thorny weeds. And you can’t pick grapes from thorn bushes! 45 Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts.” Luke 6:44-45 ERV

We’ve all been around people who worry or pessimistic – the words of cynicism flow freely. They are fearful of everything. While on the other hand a hopeful person’s conversation is filled with encouragement and optimism.

We all need to listen to our words today. What do they say about us, the real us? What do they reveal about what’s in our hearts? We don’t change our heart by changing our words. But what we say will change when our heart is transformed. As we let God’s word fill our hearts our words will be containers of life.

Until then, Mum’s the word!

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:13-14

Find Rest

A few days ago I addressed the issue of contentment. This isn’t something that we receive a one-time teaching on. No, daily there are things, that creep in subtly or hit us like a Mac truck, that try to steal or successfully steal our contentment. It’s then we need to be reminded that God is in control and we can trust Him.

So this morning I feel admonished to bring you another teaching on contentment. The Lord has always used personal experiences to teach me His word and today’s lesson is no different. I know of nothing that depicts contentment and trust more than a sleeping baby. They are the epitome of trust and contentment.

“Be still, and know that I am God:” Psalm 46:10

I remember when our youngest daughter, Kaci, was just around a year old. She awaken in the middle of the night and I got up with her and took her to the living room to rock her. She shared a bedroom with her sister and I didn’t want to wake her too.

When I got to the living room I sat down on the couch and began to rock back and forth, thinking the rocking motion would lull Kaci back to sleep. She really wanted none of that. She began to lean her body in the direction of the family room and kitchen. (You know that kind of lean, the one little kids have when they want you to take them somewhere. They communicate with body language before they can talk.) I told her softly that there wasn’t anything in there and she just needed to cuddle in and sleep. She continued crying and leaning so I got up, with her in my arms, and walked into the family room, then the kitchen, through the dining room and back to the living room – all the while being led by the leaning of a child.

Once we were back in the living room we sat down on the couch, again. As I began the rocking motion that I had tried to comfort her with just minutes before, she settled in and went to sleep. I looked at her, smiled and thought, “This is where we started, why couldn’t we have done this the first time?”

With that, I heard the Lord minister to me; “How many times do I take you somewhere and you insist on leaning/leading to another place? I patiently give in to your will and then we go full circle and end up back where I had you at the start. I take you back and there you find peace.”

Wow! Lord what a graphic lesson. There have been times when I thought I knew best – I thought I wanted to be any place but here and so I would go from place to place, room to room and come back to find “Be still and know that I am God!”

Here was the place God wanted me to rest. Here was the place He wanted me to be content.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;  do not depend (lean) on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLV

This doesn’t mean we take a laissez-faire approach and give up on our dreams and desires. It does mean that we can trust God with our dreams and let Him bring them to pass.

Thanking God today for His mercy – for allowing me to come back to the place of peace where I can “Be Still and Know that He is God!”

The Bucket List

A few years back a movie was released with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, Bucket List. I’m not a big fan of either actor but had heard about the movie and it was on TV so Dave and I watched it. The premise: What do you want to do before you die, what would make life feel complete. And not long after the movie’s release people began to ask “what’s on your bucket list” and to say “that’s on my bucket list”.

I’ve never made a bucket list. Imagine that. Sixty-six years old and no bucket list. I don’t believe it’s because I am not adventurous or that I’m unimaginative. No, quiet the contrary, but God has filled my life so full that there is nothing that I still need to do to feel my life is fulfilled. I have a wonderful husband, loving children and grandchildren, I get to share God’s word with you each day and I have a home I enjoy. I am blessed!

Oh yes, there are some things I would like to do – a Cinderella night with Dave, catch a marlin and go on a resort-style vacation but I live enjoying each day and what is in it.

Years ago I dealt with some issues of low self-esteem and loneliness. I needed to be needed. During that dark time the Lord showed me that what I needed was more of an awareness of His love and constant companionship. Jesus and I became a team; everything I needed was in Him. I guess you could say He became my bucket list. His name is at the top, the middle and the bottom.

In the 1980’s, a worship chorus was being sung in churches everywhere. It echoed what I felt in my heart.

“Lord, you are more precious than silver. Lord, you are more costly than gold. Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares to you.

Lord, your love is higher than mountains. Lord, your love is deeper than seas. Lord, your love encompasses the nations, and yet, you live right here inside of me!”

There are many mornings, like today, when I wake up and those are the words that I going through my heart and my head. Yes, that is my bucket list – there is nothing that I desire that compares to the Lord.

“And let God All-Powerful be your gold. Let him be your pile of silver. 26 Then you will enjoy God All-Powerful, and you will look up to him.” Job 22:25-26 ERV

“Those who find wisdom are fortunate; they will be blessed when they gain understanding. 14 Profit that comes from wisdom is better than silver and even the finest gold. 15 Wisdom is worth more than fine jewels. Nothing you desire has more value.” Proverbs 3:13-15 ERV

In the book of James we are told to ask the Lord if we lack wisdom and He will give it to us generously. His Word is THE source of wisdom and it is provided to us freely.

“Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom.” James 1:5 ERV

Now there is nothing wrong with compiling a bucket list as long as we don’t base our happiness and joy on the items we place there. Jesus said He came to give us an abundant and overflowing life. Just make sure that the first item on the list is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and our relationship with them. That truly is what makes life complete.


Turning Pages

This morning I was aware of how much I love picking up my Bible, opening to a book, reading the words and turning the pages. There’s just something about actually having the Bible in my hand that encourages and comforts. It brings me joy!

That’s not to say that I don’t use the on-line Bible apps. You know I do! But they are clinical, study tools, research. My physical, leather-bound, underlined, notes- in-margin Bible is my personal heart connection with the Father.

When I was a little girl in Sunday School we had Bible drills. Did you ever do that? The Sunday School teachers called them sword drills. We would close our Bibles, hands on the cover, and then the teacher would give a verse reference and say “go”. The first kid to find the verse would stand and read it aloud. Those sword drills got us familiar with where the different books were in our Bibles.

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12 NLT

We memorized the books of the Bible in published order, Genesis to Revelation. We learned which books were in the Old Testament and which were in the New and we learned why there was a difference between the two. We were taught who wrote the books under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and some of the back story behind the authors.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

Have you ever noticed how little children love to have someone read to them? They want to hold the book, look at the pictures, turn the pages…they love to sit on our laps and be involved. Some of my favorite times with my kids and now with my grandchildren is story time. We can read and turn a page but very shortly they want to go back and read it again. We have to look at the pictures and absorb the story!

That’s how I feel when I read my Bible.

I want to live the words written on the pages. Its God’s word to me – it’s personal, very personal.

“Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. 98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. 99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. 100 I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. 101 I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word. 102 I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well. 103 How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” Psalm 119:97-103 NLT

Once when Jesus was teaching, speaking God’s word, the whole crowd got upset with Him and walked away. Jesus asked his disciples if they were going to leave too. Here’s their response:

“Then Jesus said to the twelve followers, “Will you leave Me also?” 68 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, who else can we go to? You have words that give life that lasts forever. 69 We believe and know You are the Christ. You are the Son of the Living God.” John 6:67-69 NLV

These are the words of life – not just for life after we die but for our life here on earth. They are our daily instruction and encouragement.

“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. 21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:20-23 NLT

Turn the page, read on, we find God’s love written in the whole of Scripture. No other book has stood the test of time – it is the true and living Word of God.

“Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.” Psalm 119:165 NLV

Turn the Page – the story continues!

Travel Carefree Hwy

There is a town in Arizona named Carefree. Stop and think about that for a moment. People don’t think about the meaning in names or words much anymore but words are containers filled with meaning.

Care free. Free from worry, anxiety or care.

I woke up to a beautiful morning. Last night’s rain has left the air clean and fresh. In fact, I slept in. I think it may have been the soothing sound of the rain gently falling on the sky light in the next room. It was and is so refreshing.

However, I do not delude myself; some of you woke this morning weighed down with cares that seem overwhelming. Worries that plagued your sleep. Anxieties that gripped your heart and left you unsure that you even wanted to face the day.

“Please hurry, Lord, and answer my prayer. I feel hopeless. Don’t turn away and leave me here to die. 8 Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance. 9 Please rescue me from my enemies, Lord! I come to you for safety. 10 You are my God. Show me what you want me to do and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path. 11 Be true to your name, Lord, and keep my life safe. Use your saving power to protect me from trouble. 12 I am your servant. Show how much you love me by destroying my enemies.” Psalm 143:7-12 CEV

The best way to live in Carefree is to let the Lord guide you, He will give you hope, safety and peace. He is always there to protect us.

We can trust Him to be our strength and our peace. And when we hear the Lord speak to us from His word we need to be obedient. He will not lead us astray. He is faithful!

“With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment.Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.Don’t ever think that you are wise enough, but respect the Lord  and stay away from evil.This will make you healthy, and you will feel strong.” Proverbs 3:5-8 CEV

Trust the Lord today; He will direct you down the road to “carefree”.

Heart Smart

So many advertisements and commercials encourage us to be “heart smart”. They focus on proper eating habits, exercise, refraining from smoking and living stress free.

I agree that we need to protect our hearts but it won’t come from eating a certain cereal, taking a low grain aspirin everyday, or any other thing that man can advertise. To be truly heart smart take a good dose of Scripture everyday.

“Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.” I Kings 8:61

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:37-39.

if you really want to do something to keep your heart healthy keep it centered on God’s Word!

Home Sweet Home

Just sit right back And you’ll hear a tale. A tale of a fateful trip, That started from this little town, Aboard this big black truck.

We left home ten days ago for our camping vacation in the mountains. It was a beautiful morning. We waited late enough to avoid the morning work traffic and headed up the hill. At the bottom of Salt River Canyon we made a potty stop and on up the hill.

We were so excited when we got to Show Low. We were right on schedule. We were only about an hour from the campground and check in was at two. We brought the truck to a stop at a light and heard a terrible grinding, rattle. We felt badly for the vehicle next to us because it sounded as if his truck was falling apart. On through the light we went only to be caught in road construction where we had to slow down again. It was then we realized the grinding and rattle were coming from our truck.

Oh No!!

Dave checked all the gauges and everything was good; nothing running high or low but the noise…Thinking we may have run over something, and it was dragging from the undercarriage or had gotten stuck somehow, we found a wide spot to pull over and thoroughly check things out.

Nothing.

Dave checked under the hood. Everything was fine there too. We kept going, thinking positive and knowing that when we got to the campground we (he) could check things out more. And then there was the squeal or whine…no, this needed attention now so Dave turned around and headed back to a Auto/Diesel shop we had just passed.

The owner came out to help us; he and Dave did a few diagnostics and the mechanic determined he didn’t know what it was and told us about a transmission shop in Show Low. Six miles back in to town.

Before Dave called them we grabbed hands and prayed. We needed to go to the right place and we needed wisdom on what to do. Cancel the vacation? Stay in a hotel? What? Dave made the call and “Tyler” told us where they were located, to bring the truck in and if it died, they had a tow truck.

In those six miles we decided we would call a rental car place to see if they had a van or something that would get us and our camping gear to the campground while the truck was getting fixed.

Yep! That’s what we would do. Thank you Lord!

Now I will tell you, this is going to be a two-day blog.

We got to Tyler and the transmission shop. They were swamped but he heard our tail – from out-of-town, saw all the camping equipment loaded in the truck, knew we had reservations at the campground for the week and he put the truck on the lift to see what was happening.

Transfer case! There was a hole in the transfer case. He could have a new one and it could be replaced by end of day Friday. Thank you Lord! We knew it would be costly but at least we had a plan.

Enterprise Rentals had a truck we could rent but not everything would fit in the bed. No problem, we have a bigger truck. Yes! And they also had a Veteran’s discount that they applied to the rental. Thank you Lord!

It was now four o’clock and we drove back to the transmission shop and unloaded all the camping gear from our black truck and put it in the white truck. Oh my! And off to the campground we went. Needed to have camp set up before dark.

Thanking the Lord for getting us up the hill safely. Not being “broke down” on the road out in the middle of nowhere, having someone who was honest and diagnosed our problem, having a rental truck that would hold all our gear and getting through it all without becoming overly stressed and not letting it ruin our vacation! These were all big things to be thankful for.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:2-5 NLT

We got to the campground and were set up completely within an hour and fifteen minutes. Another big thank you. As we sat outside that night, we reminded ourselves that although all this had caught us by surprise God was not surprised in the slightest.

He had a plan and if we continued to keep our hearts right and seek Him, He would get us through it all. We fell asleep that night knowing that we were giving Him control and He would direct our steps.

“Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:3 ERV

Day 1: Trust God!

The tale of our vacation isn’t over yet. I’ll finish it up tomorrow.

Not sure what has taken you by surprise in the last few days but I do know that you too can trust God. He’s got the answer for every situation.

Like Father Like Son

I’ve heard people say from time to time that there’s really no instruction manual for parenthood. It’s one of the hardest jobs there is, next to marriage, and there seems to be no training manual or skills course. But really that’s not true.

We simply need to open the pages of our Bible and there we have the instruction we need. This morning I was reading King David’s final words to his son, Solomon. Here’s what David had to say.

“The time came for David to die, so he gave these commands to Solomon, “I am about to die, like all men must. But you are growing stronger and becoming a man. Now, carefully obey all the commands of the Lord your God. Carefully obey all his laws, commands, decisions, and agreements. Obey everything that is written in the Law of Moses. If you do this, you will be successful at whatever you do and wherever you go.” I Kings 2:1-4 ERV

Sound familiar? This was almost the exact same words that Moses told Joshua when he was about to die and Joshua was to take over as leader of the nation of Israel. This is the same advice that we need as parents.

Obey the Lord’s commands and we will be successful in whatever we do and wherever we go. This is great advice for us as parents. Here is one of my favorite group of verses from the Psalms.

“Thinking about your teachings gives me better understanding than my teachers, 100 and obeying your laws makes me wiser than those who have lived a long time. 101 I obey your word instead of following a way that leads to trouble. 102 You have been my teacher,  and I won’t reject your instructions. 103 Your teachings are sweeter than honey.” Psalm 119:99-103 CEV

This is God’s promise to us. If we respect His word and follow His teachings we will be wise and stay out of trouble. King David lived these words, he knew the strength and wisdom to be drawn from the Lord. His final instruction to his son was to keep God’s word. It would be a source of strength to Solomon as well.

Solomon took his father’s words to heart. Here is the request he made to the Lord when his father died.

“Solomon answered, “You were very kind and loyal to your servant, my father David. He was faithful to you and lived a good, honest life. And you showed him the greatest kindness when you let his son take his place as king. Lord my God, you have made me the king in my father’s place, but I am like a small child. I don’t have the wisdom I need to do what I must do. I am your servant here among your chosen people. There are so many that they cannot be counted. So I ask you to give me the wisdom to rule and judge them well and to help me know the difference between right and wrong. Without such great wisdom, it would be impossible to rule this great nation.”

10 The Lord was happy that Solomon asked for wisdom. ” I Kings 3:6-10 ERV

Solomon wanted wisdom more than anything else. He wanted direction – to know right from wrong. He wanted the ability to lead well. Isn’t that what we all want as parents and grandparents, the ability to lead well?

I found myself praying that this morning. “Lord, I want to lead well. I want to continue in my knowledge of You so that my children and grandchildren know Your word and the importance of making it first place in their lives.” This has been a prayer of dedication that I have prayed for many years, however, it all came back to me this morning as I was reflecting on our oldest granddaughter’s birthday.

Solomon, who wrote the book of Proverbs, made this statement in the first few verses of that book.

These are the proverbs of Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. They will help you learn to be wise, to accept correction, and to understand wise sayings. They will teach you to develop your mind in the right way. You will learn to do what is right and to be honest and fair. These proverbs will make even those without education smart. They will teach young people what they need to know and how to use what they have learned. Even the wise could become wiser by listening to these proverbs. They will gain understanding and learn to solve difficult problems. These sayings will help you understand proverbs, stories with hidden meanings, words of the wise, and other difficult sayings.

Knowledge begins with fear and respect for the Lord, but stubborn fools hate wisdom and refuse to learn. My son, listen to your father when he corrects you, and don’t ignore what your mother teaches you. What you learn from your parents will bring you honor and respect, like a crown or a gold medal.” Proverbs 1:1-9 ERV

Neither David or Solomon were perfect parents. Matter of fact, there has only been one perfect parent, God, the Father. If we follow His instruction we will do a much better job than if we try to make it on our own.

“Father, it’s my desire to be like you. I want to love like You, teach like You, give counsel like You and have my words be Yours. It is my desire to reflect Your character in all I do.”

Is That All There Is?

The last few days I seem to be emphasizing the importance of knowing God’s plan. I haven’t intentionally set out to make that my theme but when the words begin to roll out of my heart and on to the screen they share the common thread of God’s plan for us.

We’ve almost completed the first half of 2019. I know we have one more month until we are really half way through but it’s about this time that folks begin to readjust their schedules and make new plans. School is coming to an end, graduation day has come, the New Year’s resolutions we made are almost forgotten and we begin to plan for summer vacations.

It’s important that we keep God in the planning process.

God has designed us to have a purpose, a plan, a destiny that is so much greater than anything we can imagine! He sees in us a Christ-like quality and desires to use His power to accomplish great things. If we’re living a life that is comfortable to us and one in which “We” can accomplish what we set out to do, we’re settling for less than what God wants to do through us.

“With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of.” Ephesians 3:20 ERV

Let me encourage you to dream bigger and trust God to direct you to impact your world with what He’s calling you to do – God will use you where you are if you trust Him. Our lives have a design and calling to do great things. We have direction; our purpose is greater than the lyrics from Peggy Lee’s song “Is that all there is?

“The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). 3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 AMP

Yesterday I heard a pastor talk about verse three above. (It’s one of my favorite verses) He said that the original intention of the verse meant to “roll off a load”. The example he used was one of a camel who was carrying a heavy burden. The way to get the pack off a camel is for it to get down on its knees and then roll to the side so the burden can be removed.

Making plans without the Lord’s guidance can be a heavy load, one we need to roll off and let Him carry. When we trust Him, He will carry the burden and show us how to succeed. Our lives will take on meaning, direction, purpose and there will be no need to ask “is that all there is” because life will be full and abundant.

“A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:10 ERV

So Many Questions

How many times a day do you answer questions? If you live with a toddler you might say that your entire day is spent that way. Honest questions are a search for knowledge and understanding. Others are asked to avoid the obvious and still some are poised to incite argument and confrontation. It’s not always easy to determine which are which.

Solomon, who the Bible says was the wisest man, told us to answer aggravating questions like this.

“A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up.Words of wisdom come from the wise, but fools speak foolishness.” Proverbs 15:1-2 CEV

And James, who is best known for his teaching on controlling the tongue, gives us this instruction for contention.

“Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be confusion and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest. 18 People who work for peace in a peaceful way get the blessings that come from right living.” James 3:16-18 ERV

This is good advice when dealing with someone who is simply asking questions to stir up anger and division. It’s best to answer softly and peaceably. But what about those honest questions that we ask ourselves and those that we ask God? It’s vitally important that we know how to ask and how to receive the wisdom we need.

When I’m needing answers to some questions that are past my knowledge I don’t want to be held back because of my ignorance. I seek the Father and His wisdom.

One thing that has been proven over the years, not just in my lifet but throughout time, is God is faithful and His word is true. When He tells us to ask for wisdom and that He will give it, He does! When He says ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will open, if we do and He does!

When we call – He answers!

“Moreover, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard, saying, 2 Thus says the Lord Who made [the earth], the Lord Who formed it to establish it—the Lord is His name: 3 Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).” Jeremiah 33:1-3 AMP

When it seems like we are in prison, the prison of our circumstances or the one caused by our limited knowledge or even an actual physical prison, He reminds us of who He is, His power and His willingness to help.

Call on Me and I WILL answer and I’ll show you the things that were hidden, the things that you don’t recognize or understand. CALL! After we call, be still and listen. It’s hard to hear correctly if we don’t stop talking.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46:10-11 NKJV

I would encourage you to write the questions down and leave space to also fill in the answer when God gives it to you. When we ask in faith and sincerity God is always ready to provide the answers. In fact, the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit is to teach us.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 NKJV

I started my morning asking the Lord some questions of my own. Now I must take my leave – be still and listen!