God = Love

". . . God is love."  I John 4:8

Well, it's been one of those weeks where you wonder what day it is, because it seems like it's just been one long, exhausting day.  Last Friday (July 1) my husband's grandfather passed away unexpectedly.  So instead of heading down to North Carolina for our planned holiday trip, it ended up being to bury his grandfather.  So, the past week has been exhausting emotionally as well as physically.   But through it all, I know that God has been with us. 



He sent little messages of hope to strengthen us. . .
like the night before the funeral,
we saw a double rainbow! 
photo from stock.xchng

Just knowing He is with us during our storms helps doesn't it?  Have you ever been afraid and not known what to do with your fear?  Wanting to be rid of your fears, but unsure how to do it, you wonder, "When will I ever get over my fear?"    Well, the night we returned, it was in the wee hours, and I was exhausted...(We all were.)  After I went to bed, I heard my daughter calling out to me. . .oh boy...."It's almost 1:30 a.m., can we not talk about this in a few hours the morning??"  But she quickly revealed to me how she was feeling afraid. (This is her first time experiencing a death in the family.)  In the process of our conversation, the Lord began to reveal to me the following little formula:

In math, we know that both sides of the equal sign (=) must be equal, so they are interchangeable.  Well, as soon as my daughter told me she was afraid, the Lord reminded me of ". . . perfect love casts out fear."   I John 4:18   Then He reminded me of "God is love."  Now, we know that math just doesn't come to a person's mind at 2 in the morning, :o)  (LOL) so I know that the visual for this formula had to come from the Lord!  I began to picture GOD = LOVE  and then substituted the word "LOVE" in I John 4:18 with the word "GOD." 

If God is (=) LOVE and LOVE is (=) GOD, then I can substitute the word "love" with "GOD" in

I John 4:18,  and that means that:

GOD (perfect LOVE) will cast out my fear!

No more pressure to try to overcome our fear!  HE will do it!  And HE HAS done it!   All we have to do is trust!  If we are afraid, it is stemming from a lack of trust in God. 

It's amazing to me to know how exhausted my body and mind have been lately, and see how He continues to speak words of encouragement to me, and gives strength to the weary!   ;o)

Be encouraged!  When you're in the midst of the storm, He is still speaking!  Just tune your ears towards Him and believe that He will speak in the midst of your storm! 

And. . . He WILL!

Hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July!  Freedom is not free.  And we know that our ultimate freedom was purchased on Calvary!!  

If the Son therefore shall make you free,

you shall be free indeed. 

John 8:36

Thank You, Father, for speaking strength, encouragement and Your perfect, reassuring LOVE to a weary soul!  I pray for my dear friends, wherever they are in their walk with You, to find Your perfect Love truly capable to cast out all their fear!  In Jesus' Name,  Amen.

Do you know a R.O.B. ? ? ?

Roots and Stoney Ground

"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." 

Hebrews 12:15

Just wanted to share something that the Holy Spirit just pointed out to me.  It's short, it's quick, but it's TO THE POINT: and sometimes these types of lessons get "right down to the quick" (so to speak.)

The following quote was taken from "The Golden Treasury of Bible Wisdom~Words of Encouragement, Hope, and Wisdom" by Herschel B. Dean.   It's a wonderful compilation of scripture verses, with a quote by Herschel for each verse...something extra to "chew on."  And boy, oh boy, have they been such a blessing to me??!!  You bet!

For the above written scripture in Hebrews, here is what Mr. Dean said:"We must fight negative thought patterns and poutings or else they will neutralize our lives, leaving us ineffective and miserable.  Cheer up!  God loves you and has plans for you beyond your greatest dreams."

Look at the scripture again, and the phrase "Root of Bitterness."   Do you see the initials R.O.B. ??????????   What does a Root of Bitterness do?   Scripture tells us it ROBS not only US, but MANY others around us, of an effective, enjoyable, PRODUCTIVE, Spiritually-Successful, God-Driven, Christ-Centered, Spirit-filled, peaceful life! 

Is it possible to have a root of bitterness without having been offended by someone?  I used to associate a root of bitterness with what happens after a grudge is held for a long time against someone who has offended me.  But the Holy Spirit just showed me:  A negative spirit; a discouraged, seeing-the-glass-half-filled, gloomy outlook-on-life~~all of those things ARE a Root of Bitterness. . . and THEY ROB not only ME, but also EVERYONE AROUND ME ("thereby defiling MANY.")     O u C h !!   

Guess what happened, though?