No-Not-Never-Nothing-None-Nowhere (A-to-Z Challenge)

Never abandoned

No, not ever forsaken

No good thing I lack

Nothing can separate me

From the Lord God Almighty

~

None can condemn me

All my sins He’s forgiven

And long forgotten ~

Nowhere can I go that His

Eyes don’t see, keep safe my steps

~

None other will love

With His faithfulness, caring ~

No Light overcomes

Brights so fully heart’s night-fears

His Presence never departs

~

All God’s promises

Are found in Christ ~ Yes, Amen

His covenant stands ~

To whom would I go? there’s no

Other Savior–just Jesus

©V.Sparrow, 2024

Note to Readers:  time ran short to include my usual pile of scripture references, but trust me–everything I mentioned is in the Bible!😇

Ageing Divinely with Delight (A-to-Z Challenge)

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-ishI’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!

~~†~~

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

~~†~~

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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To Light the Way

Long before our Now

God spoke His mind audibly

Burning bush, my dream

Eyes search night, pray “pillar’d fire”

Day sky’s hope, His sheer-gleam cloud

Gifted afternoon

White fluffs write in pillar form…

Dusk, flame-colored mass

Thrills me passing overhead

God answers prayers, child don’t doubt

Light reveals His love

‘Mid pages…treasured Word, Truth–

ListenVoice resounds

©V.Sparrow, 2024

By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go.

Nehemiah 9:12, ESV

ESV Text Edition® (2016).

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The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.  Bible Hub

Blessed!

Through photos among my posts, I’m inviting you on a tour of my bijou dwelling I’ve named The Upper Room. 

For two decades this 2nd-floor apartment was gratefully furnished with mismatched used donations–serviceable, yet lacking heart. 

But since being introduced to Hobby Lobby (http://www.hobbylobby.com/), it’s become a pleasing reflection of everything important to me–the heart beats fervently. 

Hobby Lobby was a delightful but mixed blessing.  In over twenty years I’d not shopped anywhere but Amazon and Safeway, so it was akin to entering the Promised Land.  The store’s ambiance is wonderful, with soothing music–not that this relieved my fever to shop!  I went a little crazy.  

Of all I acquired there’s been nary a disappointment, nor “buyer’s remorse”…which should have kicked in as I carelessly racked up debt.  Hobby Lobby’s prices are reasonable, the sales irresistible.  (My financial discipline is a work in progress…)

The Lord has blessed me abundantly in more ways than shopping for decor.  His provision wow’s me each time I buy groceries–I always have plenty, and enough to share.

Mostly, I’m thankful for His bountiful grace–how patient He is; the ways He teaches me about Himself and His Word; His voice as He speaks, guides me each day…and for His limitless love, ever faithful, enduring.

He has saved the best for last, in my life.  I have strength to continue the journey, contentment and joy I never expected to experience.

I don’t think I have a special anointing, a lofty “calling”–I want to reflect Him well, and give from what He pours into my heart.

I pray He blesses all who happen to visit me here.💙 V.Sparrow

Cast Your Cares

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you ~” Psalm 55:22, NIV

~†~

“…Anointed Christian music…can fill your room with the presence of the Lord.  Allow the music to simply wash over you like rivers of living waters.  Let His presence flush out every fear and every anxiety.  Let His love take away the cares that burden you.  Let Jesus be magnified and glorified, and watch Him turn all things around for your good!”

~ Pastor Joseph Prince, author and pastor (New Creation Church, Singapore) His books: 100 Days of Right Believing, Daily readings from The Power of Right Believing ©2014 by Joseph Prince

Will You?

This excerpt is by pastor and author, Max Lucado, from two of his books:  How Happiness Happens  and  You Can Count On God~365 Devotions.  (Published by Thomas Nelson, a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.)

♥†♥

“Inadequacy indwells a billion hearts.

Who is going to tell people the truth?  Will you?  Will you distribute encouragement to the world?  Will you make happiness happen?

Will you remind humanity that we are made in God’s image?  That we are chosen, destined, and loved? That God is for us, not against us?  That we are in God’s hands, in God’s plan? 

Will you go face-to-face with the tidal wave of inadequacy that sucks people out to sea?

Will you encourage someone today?”

💖

Hebrews 10:24-25

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…encouraging one another.”