Welcome 2013

Over the past few days I’ve enjoyed reading the Happy New Year posts from friends on social media, in text messages, emails, and blog posts. They have been a reminder of how important reflection is. This is a time to exhale and realize that no matter how many difficult or painful circumstances 2012 held, we made it to a new beginning. People are so full of resolutions, fresh plans, and renewed hope at this time of year. Yet, I think about those whose thoughts are filled with their daily struggles and to whom the turn of the new year brings little excitement.

I was reading Psalm 34 last night before I went to bed and these are the verses that I’m grateful to be able to share from a renewed perspective. I remember when I was the one wondering if God was going to breathe new life and restoration into my marriage. If you woke up in the new year facing the realities of the year before, without hope, then here is a gift for you straight out of God’s word. I encourage you to take these scriptures and meditate on them. Let them push you forward when you really want to retreat.

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth – Psa 34:1

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. – Psa 34:3-4

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. – Psa 34:7-9

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. – Psa 34:18

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. – Psa 34:19

Dear God,

Today I pray for a renewal in the hearts and minds of my sisters who are struggling. We know that marriage was ordained by you God and that honoring our wedding vows does not always come without pain. We know that this new year is a time for renewed hope and promise despite what our circumstances try and dictate. Today, we seek your Holy Spirit to renew us. Let us know that chronological time cannot beat your perfect timing. So God, we seek your face in 2013 more than ever before. Your timing is perfect for us to receive healing, restoration and deliverance from our pain. So in 2013 we will magnify, bless, praise, seek, trust, and walk in fear of you Lord. In turn God we are confident that you will hear our cry, deliver us from fear, and dispatch angels to protect and deliver us. We love you.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Welcome into the New Year,

T.

Expecting

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV)

In tough times I remember reciting Jer 29:11 through my tears. My marriage was a shambles, our finances were turned upside down, life seemed rife with struggle. In this scripture I found comfort and strength because it reminded me that the season I was in wasn’t going to last forever.

My focus was so intense on verse 11 that it took me some time to get to the next two verses.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13 KJV)

God wants to bless us, wants to hear from us and wants to be there for us. This can only happen if our heart is turned toward him. We have to look for God wherever and whatever we are in. Even when things feel bad if we turn our WHOLE heart to God we will find Him. I’m so very thankful that we serve a God who hears us.

Keep expecting,

T.