Mind Games

Apr21

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,
practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
~ Philippians 4:8

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,
and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
~ 2 Corinthians 10:5

May your thoughts be centered on Christ, focused on the Heavenly realms and beautifully grounded in God’s peace. Let not the winds carry your thoughts away with it, but instead, take each thought captive and relinquish them into the hands of God. Surely, He designed us to think freely….oh, what a gift to be treasured. Funny, that as I enter a new journey in my life, it is my thoughts that run away with me! Lo, and behold, today’s devotion for me was about letting God control my mind! Alas, I love when He speaks and I pray that you also hear His still, small voice reminding you that he is with you in the storms, trials, and temptations of life. It is His peace that comes when your thoughts are focused on the things above.

All my love ❤

The Love of the Lord ~ Inspired by Morning and Evening written by Spurgeon

Feb3

As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.
But the loving kindness of the LORD is from everlasting
To everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
To those who keep His covenant
And remember His precepts to do them.
~ Psalm 103:15-18 ~

Throughout your life, it is easy to look back and ponder all the experiences you have been through–The good times and the bad. The joyful times and the sorrow filled times. The times you had an abundance of blessings and the times where life seemed void of any necessity. No matter the experiences, God has always been there, gently speaking His life into your heart and soul, surrounding you with His never-ending love and guiding you through every walk of life, be it the wilderness moments or those in green pastures.

Take comfort in knowing that God’s grace has been sufficient throughout your life. Look back in remembrance of His love for you and all that He has done to make the you beautiful, strong, and courageous person you are today.

As Spurgeon stated so eloquently:

” ‘For I am persuaded, that neither death;
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
Now, soul, is not thy love refreshed?
Does not this make thee love Jesus?
Doth not a flight through illimitable plains
of the ether of love inflame thy heart and compel thee
to delight thyself in the Lord thy God?
Surely as we meditate on ‘the love of the Lord,’
our hearts burn within us,
and we long to love him more.”

May you feel the Love of God from now into eternity, knowing that he holds you always in the palm of his hand! All my love ❤

God is Greater

Jan2

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

God is greater
Larger than the obstacles you face
He knows your past and your sins
Yet offers you limitless grace

Hold tight to His truths
For in His arms you can stand
Know He is with you
Guiding you with His mighty hand

He sees your pain and shame
His heart bleeds for you
Let it go and surrender
For His promises will see you through

May the obstacles you face be merely a speck in the scheme of life, and may you always know that God is with you through it all, with a promise to bring you good, to prosper you, to bless you abundantly more than you can ever imagine! May this new year bring peace and joy despite the storms that rage around or in you!

All my love ❤

In God’s Hands!

Jul29

The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him,
but his grate anger is against all who forsake him.
Ezra 8:22b

We serve an awesome God! He is always there to guide and protect, to keep you in His refuge, and to graciously supply all your needs!

There are numerous verses in scripture that refer to God’s hand being upon you, and as I read the book of Ezra, I found six verses about God’s gracious hand being upon them (and there are only 10 chapters!).

When you trust in God and call upon His name, you can fully trust that he is with you! It is His hand alone that leads you out of trouble and into safety. It is His hand alone that protects you from the enemy, from the principalities of darkness! It is by His hand that you have courage to stand on the Word of God and speak it into the lives of others. It is by the Lord’s hand that you are provided wisdom. All this just in Ezra…10 small chapters, with so many reminders that God has you! Imagine if you did a study on “the gracious hand of God”, how inspiring that would be! Hmmm….I think that may be my next writing!

Blessings to each of you and may you feel the hand of God moving in your life!
In God’s love ❤

Nevertheless….Surrender! Held in Your Hands ~ Rush of Fools

Jul28

Nevertheless! It is all Yours God! All my yesterdays, all my todays, all my tomorrows are Yours! All I have, all I have had, all that is yet to come is Yours! My son, my family, my friends, my job, my hopes, my dreams, my finances, my everything are Yours God!

May you trust in the unseen, knowing God has you always! Constantly surrendering my life and all that is in it to the Lord!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.
Hebrews 11:1

Nevertheless

Jul28

In my reading time this evening, I was led to the devotional within Biblehub.com for the morning of July 29th (which is technically tomorrow, but is up now…go figure.) Anywho, I really liked the message, so I figured I would share it with y’all. Never are we alone….no matter what we do, no matter our sin, no matter our brokenness, no matter how we feel….we are always held by a God who is bigger than us! Hallelujah!

Nevertheless I am continually with you:
you have held me by my right hand.
Psalm 73:23

“Nevertheless,”–As if, notwithstanding all the foolishness and ignorance which David had just been confessing to God, not one atom the less was it true and certain that David was saved and accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God’s presence was undoubtedly his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate, and of the deceitfulness and vileness of his nature, yet, by a glorious outburst of faith, he sings “nevertheless I am continually with thee.” Believer, you are forced to enter into Asaph’s confession and acknowledgment, endeavour in like spirit to say “nevertheless, since I belong to Christ I am continually with God!” By this is meant continually upon his mind, he is always thinking of me for my good. Continually before his eye;–the eye of the Lord never sleepeth, but is perpetually watching over my welfare. Continually in his hand, so that none shall be able to pluck me thence. Continually on his heart, worn there as a memorial, even as the high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes upon his heart forever. Thou always thinkest of me, O God. The bowels of thy love continually yearn towards me. Thou art always making providence work for my good. Thou hast set me as a signet upon thine arm; thy love is strong as death, many waters cannot quench it; neither can the floods drown it. Surprising grace! Thou seest me in Christ, and though in myself abhorred, thou beholdest me as wearing Christ’s garments, and washed in his blood, and thus I stand accepted in thy presence. I am thus continually in thy favor–“continually with thee.” Here is comfort for the tried and afflicted soul; vexed with the tempest within–look at the calm without. “Nevertheless”–O say it in thy heart, and take the peace it gives. “Nevertheless I am continually with thee.”

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

Sails of My Soul

Nov22

That we should no longer be like infants,
Tossed to and fro and carried about on every wind of doctrine,
By the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
But speaking truth in love may grow up into him who is the head, Christ.
~ Ephesians 4:14-15 ~

Sails of My Soul

Lead me over uncharted waters
Steady my course as I go
Let loose the ropes of burden
Prepare the masts of my heart
Lower the boom of inspiration
Hoist the sails of my soul
Focus my mind on the horizon
Carry me on the wings of the wind
Lead me not into the abyss
Guide me on gentle waters
Prepare me for the storms
Shelter me from the crashing waves
Let me not go adrift
Nor lose my bearings at sea
Be my lighthouse in the darkness
Be my compass when I wander
Keep me anchored to you O Lord

Oh to be Held!

Nov18

If the LORD had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
If I should say, “My foot has slipped,”
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.
~ Psalm 94:17-19 ~

http://ikayalla.wordpress.com/2011/07/

Sinking among the waves of emotion
Drowning in a sea of sorrow
Praying for the beacon amidst the darkness
Wanting to be held

Hiding in recesses of my mind
Wandering among thoughts still unknown
Seeking clarity through the storm
Needing to be held

http://www.elephantjournal.com

Stumbling through the streets of chaos
Falling to my knees
Hoping for an end to the brokenness
Yearning to be held

oldtestamentwellness.com

Stuck in the traffic jam of life
Moving in slow motion
Slipping further and further behind
Wishing to be held

Holding it all together
Hitting my head against the wall
Desiring to just let go
Craving to be held

Just be Held ~ Casting Crowns

Nov18

A big thank you to Kellies Korner for recommending this song to me!! Just what I needed to hear tonight.

May you surrender tonight, let go of all the chains that bind you, and know that God is on the throne, orchestrating every event to bring you to the place he has predestined for you! Just rest and be held!

All my love ❤