Can You Sing in Dark?

I closed my eyes, praying for sleep to finally overtake me at 2:00 a.m. As I waited, out of the darkness rose the sound of music. Not instrumental, "human" music, but the songs of nature, birds singing rhythmic patterns cutting through the normal silence of the night. I listened until the melodic sound eventually lulled me off to sleep.

I awoke with a "To-Do" list a mile long running through my mind. I had so much to accomplish that I instantly felt a heaviness. I knew I needed to "gear up." I prayed, read my Bible and devotional, and headed out the door feeling lighter. But as the day progressed...I began to feel burdened, anxious and frazzled. Then it hit me, the memory from the night before, the birds singing in the dark. The Lord wants us to learn to sing His praises even when trials, struggles and darkness comes into your life.

The birds can sing even at night. They're secure that when the light comes, the Lord will once again feed and care for them. They do not worry about what's happening tomorrow. They sing even in darkness.

Pray for increased faith and wisdom to be able to sing, thank and praise the Lord no matter what's going on, good or bad. This shows that you have faith in God, the Maker of Heaven and earth. It will renew your strength and ability to trust Him. You are made in God's own image (Genesis 1:27). He holds you in the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16)...you are secure. Thank Him. Praise Him. Lay your problems before Him and free yourself up to sing His praises today. His plans for each of us are perfect, even when they are painful. His ultimate goal is for us to spend time and all eternity with Him. Don't waste today worrying about tomorrow, "His grace is sufficient for you." Cling to Him as He draws you into the comfort of His loving embrace. He will supply ALL your needs according to His good and perfect will for you.

HE LOVES YOU!

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" Matthew 6:26-20

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Why Is This Happening To Me?

How many times in your life do you ask the Lord, "Why is this happening? I'm a good person, I try to do what's right. I just don't understand why you're not blessing me Lord? Why do I continually go through struggles and trials?

I know I've felt this way. When I began to dig in deep, reading the scriptures daily, praying throughout the day, in all situations...more things were thrown at me. This seemed so unfair, especially when I truly felt that I'd turned my life around and was seeking my Heavenly Father's will daily.

Then I began reading about Joseph. When he was young, he told his older brothers that he had a dream and they would one day bow down to him. As you can imagine, this didn't go over too well. So they threw him into a pit to die, but then had a change of heart and sold him into slavery. They told their father, Jacob (Israel), that he'd died. Joseph however continued to trust in the Lord during his trials. He was given favor as a slave. But his master's wife continued to make passes at him. When he refused, she told her husband that Joseph had come after her to bring shame on her. The master had him thrown into prison for years. All the while Joseph continued to trust in the Lord.

Can you imagine? Our trials are nothing compared to Joseph's, and yet so often, we are ready to give up in the face of them and even get angry with God.

But Joseph trusted in what the Lord had promised him. He eventually became head over all of Egypt, just under the Pharaoh. Joseph was directed by God to save food during their 7 years of prosper, which eventually sustained them when the famine came. Years later, his brothers eventually came to Egypt, seeking food and bowed down before him, just as the Lord had promised Joseph in his youth. When they apologized, Joseph said, "And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." Genesis 45:5
Joseph didn't know God's complete and total plan during his hardships. Just as we don't understand why things are happening to us. But Joseph did know that God had a plan for his life. He wasn't given the complete picture, he couldn't understand what was going on, but I'm sure during those difficult times, God was working out some character flaws, some pride issues, just as He's doing with all of us.

Don't quit, don't give up before you see the glory of all that the Lord has promised you through His living word. He's given us many examples. Most importantly, sacrificing His Son, Jesus Christ, so that we can be free from our sins to fulfill our purpose. Today, in the face of your trials, remember the Lord promises, "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

HOW STEEP IS YOUR MOUNTAIN?

story by: lisa petrarca

Life's mountains are steep, climbing them hard, but throughout the journey you're becoming stronger. You're being challenged, stretched, pushed to the limit as you climb each new peak. Once you reach the top, you barely catch your breath, enjoying the beauty...finding moments of peace, then it's time to move on again.

You have more mountains to climb.

Each one more challenging than the last, knowing that you have climbed difficult mountains before and made it through. You forge ahead, strong in this knowledge, you keep striving to achieve your hopes and dreams.

Your mountain of life, given to you by your Heavenly Father, equipped with his son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, enables you to achieve more than you ever dreamed possible if you rely on His strength not your own. Let go of your will and seek His. You will never see the true beauty He has for you...the top of your incredible, glorious mountain, until you allow Him to guide you on the right path. You will begin to grow progressively stronger, filled with a never ending peace even in the midst of trials, confident in the knowledge that the Lord is with you on this journey and He has equipped you with all the tools you need to handle the task before you.

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in His paths."
Micah 4:2

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Matthew 17:20-21

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. And instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed"
Isaiah 55:12-13

QUILT HOLES

author unkown

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me . Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up
their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame . I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life...it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.

When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Father, bless all my family & friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as they seek to have a closer relationship with you. Amen.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

"In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men. For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you. I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long."
Psalm 71:1-8

CHOICES

story by: lisa petrarca

Every morning I awaken to choices.

What should I have for breakfast? What should I wear? What route should I take to work? Should I give that homeless guy money? What do I need to get at the store?

The list of our choices are endless.

But I've learned that the most important choice is: Am I willing to make time for God today?

Am I going to free up some precious moments to spend praying & reading His words each morning?

This decision seems to affect every aspect of my entire day.

When I set aside time for the Lord, I realize I've opened the door for HIM to help me with my choices throughout the day. I am no longer alone!

MAKE THE MOST IMPORTANT CHOICE...ASK YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FOR HIS GUIDANCE. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

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. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:2-6

The Eagle

Every morning I make sure and do a half hour bible study, then turn on the t.v. to watch Joyce Meyer's at 8:00 a.m. I turn it up really loud so I can hear it while I'm in the bathroom getting ready for work. She told a GREAT true story about Eagle's that I wanted to share.

As an Eagle ages, his feathers start to wear down, his beak gets covered with barnacles and his claws are worn and not quite as sharp. As he fly's low to swoop upon his prey, his feathers make a loud whistling sound and scares away his food.

After a while, the old Eagle decides to take drastic measures to survive. He flies high into the sky...higher and higher, getting as close to the sun as possible. Once he finds a perfect spot, he begins the painful process of plucking out every feather, one by one, all two thousand of them. The Eagles skin is raw and swollen, he has gone through a painful process.

As he waits for forty days for his new, re-growth, he doesn't waste time, he begins to rub his worn, barnacled beak against a rock. Scraping day by day, refining it to a stronger form. He begins to also sharpen his claws on the rocks. For forty days he continues to prepare. He knows that this process is for his own good. He endures the time of waiting with careful preparation. Each day is spent growing, strengthening and becoming stronger. When his new feathers appear he is now ready to start fresh. With vibrant new sleek feathers, a stronger beak and claws...he is prepared.

Notice that it took forty days for the feathers to regrow. Jesus spent forty days and forty nights being tempted and tried by satan. God often uses our difficult times to pluck, reshape and refine us for his purpose. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, the only perfect person to ever walk the earth was also put through severe pain, struggles and even death.

The next time you ask the question, "Why me God? What have I done that I have to go through this?" Remember, without the trials we would not grow. God did not even spare Jesus, his only begotten son from trials and pain.

He is getting ready to use you for his ultimate purpose for your life!

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like Eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.
2 Thessalonians 1:11