Let's Worship

Worship

Lately I have been struggling with my purpose in life once again. What does God want me to do for Him? I decided (after talking to my dear sister Lavonne) to re-read "The Purpose Driven Life." Over the last week, the word "worship" has been in my vocabulary many times. I have been asking God "how do You want me to worship you?" In the book PDL, Rick Warren talks about how we are to worship God. Worship is more than singing and praising God "anything you do that brings pleasure to God is worship" - wow, you mean every area of my life entails worship to God? Yes! In my daily life when I rise, I meet the Lord and talk to Him; that is a form of worship. "Anything I do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship." In Psalms it says "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth!" When I worship Him, my turmoil and sadness turns to praise.
According to Warren, even work becomes worship when you dedicate it to God and perform it with an awareness of His presence!

So, have I figured out my purpose? Not yet, but as I "worship Him" in my search - I know He will show me! - I need to recognize that all areas of my life is to worship Him. He is my Saviour, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Adonai, Yaweh, Blessed Redeemer
and soon coming King! Hallelujah!

Blessings to you!

Gayle

P.S. Don't forget to hug your daughter!

Six Months!

So it has been six months since Robin went to Heaven. Wow, six months; that is nothing in God's timing - My life is like a fading flower in His eyes - here today and gone tomorrow! I love looking at life from God's perspective. Now, of course, I don't understand it all because I am not God. One thing I do know, is that I have never been closer to the Lord than I am at this point in my life. He is still working on me, and I have many more storms to experience before I am with Him someday. I just hope I can remain strong in Him and stay focused!! I am so easily distracted by the trials around me that I sometimes have difficulty seeing Him work.
I am excited to share this weekend to a wonderful group of women what I learned from Robin about the Lord during her life! Robin was such a strong Christian woman. I never realized it until I watched her suffer for so long - As much as it hurts to say that and look back on that; I know that her rewards must be great as she is in Heaven dancing all over the place!!
I pray your day is filled with God's blessings and promises!
Don't forget to hug your daughter!

Blessings!
Gayle

April is here already!

Today is Easter Sunday. I feel blessed that Jesus gave His life for me. The worship service at church blessed me; it gave me a closeness to Heaven! Today is 5 months since my sweet Robin went to heaven. I miss her more than I ever imagined I could. Her memories are so vivid in my mind and heart. I remain focused on Jesus; asking Him to fill me each day with His comfort. As I think of others who have lost loved ones, I pray that they will be filled with His comfort. As I think of others who are traveling down a road that is all too familiar, I pray they will hold on and cling to Him. Jesus never said this walk would be easy, but He did promise to hold our hand and show us the way.
I thank Him, praise Him, worship Him, give Him honor and glory; my Saviour and Redeemer!

Blessings!
Gayle

Life's Disciplines?

Today's devotional from Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" spoke to me very clearly! Wow, why didn't I know this when I read this reading last February 14th? Matthew 10:27 says "Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops." Chambers goes on to say "sometimes God puts us through the experience and discipline of darkness to teach us to hear and obey Him." I have to admit my life had been in darkness for one year; as I look back, I can see where God was trying to teach me discipline so I would be able to recognize His voice. Nothing more, and nothing less - just listen to Me says the Lord. Chambers also states that when you are in the darkness, keep your mouth closed and your ears open. Don't try to figure God out, just "Be still and know that I am God" Psalms 46:10 I tried to figure out what God was doing in my life and the life of my family. We all suffered with worry, fatigue and stress! All along God was trying to tell me to be quiet! If you are like me and like to talk and reason with the Lord, it can be very trying on the old brain!
Chambers states that "after every time of darkness, we should experience a mixture of delight and humiliation" that is where I am right now. I am in His delight and have learned so much about humiliation for which I am so very thankful.

I pray that whatever darkness surrounds you that you will be able to rest assured He is working and wants your total attention so He can bring you "delight and humiliation"

Blessings to you and don't forget to hug your daughter!
Gayle

Is it just me?

Is it just me, or is everyone's circle of family and friends going through difficult times? The great (or he is in my eyes!) Charles Stanley said "before Jesus ever sets before us an "impossible" task, He knows what He is going to do. But He watches us and tests us to see how well we will react - either in fear, confusion, or faith!" When Jesus was getting ready to feed the 5,000, He asked Phillip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" John 6:5.. It goes on to say that Jesus said this to test Phillip (vs 6) Jesus knew He was going to feed these people with no problem. The test is do we trust Jesus when He brings an impossible situation in our lives? My first thought is fear. Wow, do I have lots of work to do to overcome fear.
I would say to those family and friends, there are going to be hard days, no doubt about it. Don't think you are exempt because you pray and read your Bible, and even go to church! God is ready to test your faith. Will you pass the test? Through Bible study and prayer is where you will grow your roots in Christ - stay grounded; and of course, go to church to worship and fellowship with other believers. Until the day Christ returns, we are going to have trials -
"Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near!" Luke 21:27-28. Hallelujah and Praise God. I can hardly wait!!

Blessings!
Gayle

P.S. Don't forget to hug your daughter!!

His Yoke is easy....

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30..
What does it mean "take my Yoke upon you and learn from Me?" According to the Life Application Study Bible, A yoke is a "heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox" from there, a heavy piece of equipment is then attached and the oxen pulls it." When Jesus says, "take My Yoke upon you" that doesn't mean He will take the burdens away, but He will give us the means of carrying them so that they are not too much for us. We will always have sorrows, pain and discomforts of the world, but He carries them instead of us. Why is it so hard for me to give up all those "things" that He will gladly carry for me? Why does my stubbornness prevent me from just giving it all up?

I recently had someone tell me "aren't you glad you have the Lord in your life?" I cannot even fathom living this life without Him and learning from Him.. I know there are many Christians who are just plugging along carrying all the loads (including me most days) I don't know about you, but I want to live for Him, serve Him, not compromise my beliefs for Him and rest in His Love. Plus, give Him all my burdens and struggles. I have been excited hearing the Lord speak to me these past few weeks and I look forward to see what He has in store for me next!

My prayer for you is that your load will be made easy by letting Jesus just do His thing in your life today!!

Blessings to you & don't forget to hug your daughter!
Gayle