Note: I began this post as my testimony about the miracle of Easter 2011. It ran over 1100 words…so I cut it, and it will be a separate “Page” (lest I lose all my readers today).
Today’s post is still long-ish…I’ll not curse anyone who skips it😊 (the 900+ word-count includes 12 Bible verses at the end, if that helps you decide where to stop😉)
The first part in green is a snippet of the back-story.
Following that are main points related to the title–and the last section provides Bible verses, some relate to ageing and “delight”.
I did not expect to live this long, nor did I desire to. My life had lacked nurturing, I was an empty shell of bleak depression. During one year, I knew three people who were dying of cancer and desperately wanted to live–I’d have gladly traded places with any of them.
There came a point when I was so weary I resigned myself to slog through life–sooner or later God would have to let me die.
This was actually good–because when I gave up, having no energy to fight anything, God was free to begin the reconstruction project.
I wish I’d known then what was going to happen–I’d have been more cooperative!
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Ageing in the divine life with delight began, and continues, because I keep the Lord God at the center. It’s key to gaining what most of us would pay every last dollar to have–but Jesus already paid the bill, on the Cross.
As I daily seek/invite His Presence, He’s the “MUCH MORE” GOD of provision, protection, unconditional love and immeasurable grace.
Love, Joy, happiness, hope, contentment, peace and security, wholeness–everything I’ll ever need, and more, are found in HIM. That’s why He’s Everything to me!
(I marvel at His math: He adds and multiplies provisions–practical and intangible–and only subtracts what would be unhealthy.)
And even though He already knows my needs, His Word says I should keep asking, knocking, seeking: persistence is rewarded! I try to place my gratitude and praises before my requests…that’s how things work between the Father and His beloved daughter.
He loves passionately, and has the solution to every problem I’ll face. He’s not a harsh task-master–He’s kind, patient, compassionate; gentle when He speaks, and teaches me. He knows everything about me because He created me–He’s not surprised by anything.
He knew my faith-walk had to begin with learning to trust Him–that He’s the Good Father and Shepherd who leads and guides; that His promises to care for me (in the Bible/His Word) are unbreakable.
All I do is LISTEN for His Voice and DO what HE says–and give thanks and honor to Him in every way I can, serving as His messenger of encouragement and blessings.
Trust me, it’s not all somber-seriousness between us–Jesus and I have FUN!
Thank you for reading, I pray you are blessed and encouraged.💙V.Sparrow, 2024
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BIBLE VERSES:
Delight yourself in the LORD, And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart. Ps 37:4 AMP
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul. Prov 2:10 BSB
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. James 1:17 AMP
He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Roman 8:32 AMP
…how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him. Matt 7:11 AMP
When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You, “Your face, O LORD, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].” Ps 27:8 AMP
Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. Prov 3:5 AMP
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD bestows grace and favor and honor; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Ps 84:11 AMP
And he* will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity]. Ps 1:3 AMP *man/woman
[Growing in grace] they will still thrive and bear fruit and prosper in old age; They will flourish and be vital and fresh [rich in trust and love and contentment]; Ps 92:14 AMP
But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired. Isa 40:31 AMP
Even to your old age I am He, And even to your advanced old age I will carry you! I have made you, and I will carry you; Be assured I will carry you and I will save you. Isa 46:4 AMP
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