Day 4-week 2

Psalm 124:1 If the LORD had not been on our side.... Just think! if the LORD had not been on our side. what then? where would you be? how would you be living? I think the Lord is asking us to consider this thought as we read this song of David. My own answer is that i would probably be dead. I gave my heart to Jesus when i was nine yrs old, but i never gave my life to HIm until i was 45. I suppose i gave parts of myself to Christ every time i was in trouble. O, i know how many pacts i made with Jesus. "Just this one more time, Lord.....i promise i will stop using." God always came thru for me. I wasn't so devoted to Him as i promised tho. Once thru the turmoil, i would go back to the only life i felt comfortable in. The life of defeat was easier to live in because i thought i could never win. The enemy had his grip on me to believe that my only usefulness was in being used and my only means of finding love was a lie. BUT verse 6-8(msg) O blessed be God! He didnt go off and leave us. He didnt abandon us defenseless, helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs. 7-We've flown free from their fangs, free from their traps, free as a bird. their grip is broken: we're free as a bird in flight. 8-God's Strong name is our help, the same God who made heaven and earth. Lord always was there for me, and continues to be. He promises to never leave us or forsake us-unlike those of this world who may be taken from us, or just continually take from us all that we have and could ever hope to be. Be encouraged to day, to cling to the One-the Maker of heaven and earth. For as majestic as He is, He is not only willing to stoop down for you, He is watching and waiting in blessed hopefulness for the moment that you look up to Him and raise both your hands to His. I am so thankful to the LORD my Savior and friend. He has set my feet a dancing, and i am praying that yours will also join in. Can you hear the angels rejoicing?

day 3

Psalm 121-revisited

i lift my eyes up

to the mountains

where does my help come from

my help comes from YOU

maker of heaven

creator of the Earth

o my protector

the One who made me

You're always by my side

You are my keeper

and yes, my shelter

from any harm of life

i lift my eyes up

to the mountains

where does my help come from

my help comes from You

maker of Heaven

Creator of the earth

as i make a concious decision to step away from dwelling in Mesech-the place of my own bitterness, that calls forth complaint and disunity, may i look towards the Mountain of Zion and know my Helper, Christ Jesus, is always beside me-even when the pebbles cause my foot to slip.

thank You Lord, for loving me. in you alone will i journey on.

day 2

Will wonders never cease? twice in a month? just excited to share. As we continue with the Beth Moore Stepping up-journey thru the Psalms of ascent, i see some differences in how her and i are thinking about this. Psalm 120 and 121- simply beautiful words to start out a journey with. I'll let you look up Psalm 120 as i share with you my own version that is asked for in the study; In my distress I call out to the LORD, I whine and complain because i want my own way. Lord, deliver me from my own lying lips and deceitful tonque- I lie to my own heart. I try to decieve You and others in my injustices. Surely, my own tongue will be burned and pierced as You also, Jesus have been pierced so that I might lay down my life for those who truly live in misery. Yes, i have dwelt in Mesach, yet mostly due to my own choosing. Yes, i have lived and do live amonst those who don't yet know Your truth. Do they hate peace or long to live and embrace the wholeness of Your Shalom? I say i am for peace. Let my words release the Balm of Gilead. May my only battles be for Your righteousness. Let the words of my lips and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus and for His Glory. (day 3 tomorro)

worship on the way

once a month- whether i need to or not- i guess that's the way this blog is working for me. I love to write, but seems that i've been doing alot more reading and praying and organizing than actual writing. but o the fun of it all. My husband told me yesterday-"Honey, you have once again taken on too many things. "

Of course that led to my own explanation of how much i become invigorated in the climb. For me, when i'm going up the mountain, the anticipation of the magnificient view at the top is what spurs me on. When i am moving in the desires of my heart, God fills me with a joy that is food for my soul-- and my spirit.

I have joined some women at church and have just begun a new Beth Moore study. It is a journey thru the Psalms of Ascent. Psalms 120-134.

Day one --Worship on the Way.

That's it, all right. if we aren't worshipping on the way, on the climb, then we may indeed have taken on too much. When we excercise, we want our heart rates to go up, but we are still to be able to carry on a conversation- you know. sing?worship?

I love how Jesus says in Matthew 11:30 My yoke is easy and my burdon is light.

I pray you give the heavy load to Jesus today. Let go of the burdons He hasn't called you to carry, so your soul and your spirit can climb the mountain with joy.

Let go- and Worship on the Way!