New Year's Resolutions

I've never been one to make "new year's resolutions."  But as we have entered this new year, I've felt the Lord reminding me of His promises.  They are firm and sure year after year - unchanging - always true - always available.  They are God's "resolutions" to us.  In the NEW year, the OLD promises are what we can hold onto!  Here are just a few of my favorites:

"Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:20  One version says "until the end of the world."

"God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure."  1 Corinthians 10:13  He never allows more to come our way than we can handle and endure with His grace and help.

"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  2 Corinthians 12:9

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22,23

"The joy of the Lord is my strength."  Nehemiah 8:10

"I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord.  "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11

"The Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through ALL generations."  Psalm 100:5

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him."  Nahum 1:7

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed."  Isaiah 54:10  Through wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, whatever comes our way - He is our sure steady helper!

The list of promises is ENDLESS!!!  I could go on and on.  Whenever I'm facing something that is too much for me - taking a few minutes to sit and meditate on God's incredible promises gives me fresh courage to persevere.  He is so very faithful!

God is Good

After my sister passed away recently, a friend sent me a lovely card and message.  One thing she said stood out to me - "God is good. He is for us and with us.  Period!"

That says it all.  That's all we need to know as we enter a new year.  He's been with us every minute of every day all through our lives - and He'll continue to be with us.  He, more than anyone else, is for us too!

I face a few challenges in the days ahead.  It was so timely to be reminded of God's care.

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."  Psalm 91:4

The Faithfulness of God

I've been working on a "project" to sort through one of Floyd's email accounts - to file, delete, archive, etc.  As I've been doing that, it's like going through our history for everything that has happened in our life for years and years.  It's been fascinating to "relive" all the events - many that I've forgotten about.  Through it all, there are two dominant thoughts running through my mind.

The first is - change.  Oh my goodness - sooo many things have changed.  In fact, almost everything in our lives has changed.  I definitely had forgotten some things.  As I sorted through the emails, my mind was flooded with memories of all that has happened and changed. 

The second thought is - God's faithfulness.  I'm sure that doesn't surprise you.  Over and over there was a need, a problem, something that had to be sorted out......and then the emails of God's provision and answers.  Sometimes the situation seemed impossible - and then the solutions came.  I found myself stopping to worship the Lord over and over again.  He has been so faithful!

I have to admit that I hadn't been excited about this project.  I kinda drug my feet in getting to work on it.  But now I look forward to each block of time I've set aside to work on it because I get to relive God's goodness and faithfulness!  It's never ending.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22,23

"Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds."  Psalm 36:5 

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful - for He cannot deny Himself."  2 Timothy 2:13

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Philippians 4:6

"For nothing is impossible with God."  Luke 1:37

It's clear that some things we experienced, some needs we had, seemed like "too much."  I wasn't sure how we'd get through it.  But God met us time and time again.  I'm humbled as I journey though these emails to see God's goodness and faithfulness.  All I can do is praise Him!

Peace Washes Over Me

I was recently reflecting on all the wonderful ways the Lord has been with me the last 9+ years.  It's a long list of His faithfulness and provision for everything I have faced.  As I thought back to different situations and experiences, one thing kept coming over and over to my mind - the incredible blessing of His peace no matter what I was facing!

I can't even begin to count the times I stood at Floyd's bedside feeling sad and overwhelmed.  I knew he was suffering, and there was little I could do to help relieve that suffering.  I would call out to God to help Floyd and help me.  And, time and time again, His gentle peace washed over me.  I would leave feeling strengthened by that peace - and confident Floyd had felt it too.

I also remembered times when I was going through treatment for my cancer - so often weak and weary from the impact of that treatment on my body.  One time in particular I was so frail that I didn't think I would survive.  As I lay in bed I told the Lord I trusted Him, and asked for His grace to help me with whatever happened.  I had a physical sensation of His peace washing over me, covering me, and strengthening me.  It was like a warm wave flowing over my whole body.

There have been so many "impossible" things I've faced....but over and over I've felt engulfed in His peace as He showed me the way forward in each situation.

I am facing some challenging and stressful things at the moment.  One morning I woke up after a good night of sleep - but I felt tense and stressed.  I think my mind must have been processing things as I slept!  I immediately turned to the Lord and asked for His peace to fill my mind, heart, and body.  As I prayed, I felt that wave of peace covering me once again.  I started singing this old song:

"When peace like a river, attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say

It is well, it is well, with me soul."

We are living in days when the world needs peace!  A war in the Middle East, a war in Ukraine, and so much ugliness being spoken out.  May God help us - and give us peace. 

As I think about these times of being met by His peace, my heart is full of gratitude that we serve a prayer answering God.  I don't know how I'd manage if I couldn't lift up my requests to Him.  Being able to share my needs with the Lord lifts the burden of them from my heart.  And it's wonderful to see Him meet those needs. 

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6,7

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:27

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."  Isaiah 26:3

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."  Psalm 4:8 

"Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance."  Jude 1:2

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Hebrews 4:16

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6,7

"The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous."  Proverbs 15:29 

"But truly God has listened; He has attended to the voice of my prayer."  Psalm 66:19

God is able to use the worst situations for His glory.  I pray that for myself, for my friends, and for our world!  Only He can do that.

If God had answered every other prayer I prayed, but hadn't given me peace - I don't think I could have made it in all these recent years.  The gift/blessing of His peace is beyond my feeble words to describe!  It is awesome in its power to help us.  I'm so humbly grateful for His peace that has washed over me in each situation when I've called out to Him.  How good and faithful He is!