God’s Word – Stutter-Stepping Seasons

Mighty Mercy & Miracles (A-to-Z Challenge)

April 15, 2024

With just a breathed word

Oh God of might and mercy

You do miracles

Bitter waters You turned sweet*

Your command, Red Sea retreats*

Even sun and moon*

Both stood still, You answered prayer

All obeyed Your will

Who, awestruck, witnessed wonders

Of justice done, Love’s mercies

Life called into Death*—

Clasped ‘gainst hearts, loved ones returned

Widow’s oil ran dry*—

You replenished jars again…

You heal now as You did then

Your kindness endures

Your mighty power ne’er weakens–

These are times of hope

Despite world’s dire distractions

Your direction alerts, guides

©V.Sparrow, 2024

I will sing your praises! You are my mighty fortress, and you love me. Psalm 59:17, Contemporary English Version

Behold, God is mighty, and yet does not despise anyone [nor regard any as trivial]; He is mighty in the strength and power of understanding.
Job 36:5, AMP

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5, NKJV

‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’ Isaiah 41:10, AMP

Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! Psalm 93:4 ESV

*23Then they came to Marah, but they could not drink its waters because they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah (bitter). 24The people [grew discontented and] grumbled at Moses, saying, “What are we going to drink?” 25Then he cried to the LORD [for help], and the LORD showed him a tree, [a branch of] which he threw into the waters, and the waters became sweet. Ex 15:23-25

*And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. Ex 14:21, KJV

*From a prayer of Habakkuk the prophet…

11The sun and moon stood still in their place
at the light of your arrows as they sped,
at the flash of your glittering spear. Habakkuk 3:11, ESV

*The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, in accordance with the word of the LORD which He spoke through Elijah.
I King 17:16, AMP

For the LORD your God is a merciful and compassionate God; He will not fail you, nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them. Deut 4:31, AMP

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful.
Psalm 116:5, NKJV

*Some who were raised from the dead (aside from Jesus): (https://www.learnreligions.com/people-raised-from-the-dead-in-the-bible-4109363

Widow of Zarephath’s son, Shunammite woman’s son, Widow of Nain’s son

Jairus’ daughter, Lazarus, Tabitha/Dorcas, Eutychus

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

April 4, 2024

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!

~~†~~

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

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God’s Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Free resources and databases are available at BereanBible.com.