Times of Restoration

I was reviewing my bible notes, I write in the margins of my bible, and came across one that I pondered for the last couple days. (Yes I write in the margins of my bible) I know that it says Holy on the front of some bibles but my bibles have become almost journals of comments and dates and colorful highlights all of what the Spirit whispered to me as I am reading. The latest scripture I was pondering is from the book of Zechariah it says:

9:12Return to the stronghold, You prisoners of hope. Even today I declare That I will restore
double to you.


In this passage the children of Israel have just returned to Judah and Jerusalem and found it in ruins. They have spent the last 70 years in Babylonian captivity. It is time to rebuild, a time to began the labor of starting over. I see that many people are finding portions of their lives in ruin at this time in our personal history.....not just our Nation’s history. Finding areas that need to be restored, rebuilt and renewed. For many it is finances, for some it is relationships and for others it maybe health. Whatever the issues may be I know the Restorer!! And He promised DOUBLE, YES, FRIEND, DOUBLE for all that looks irreversible, unrecoverable and irreconcilable. That is why we need to stay in the Stronghold as a prisoner of hope (to expect with confidence) Hope, when your hope is in God, is much more that wishing, it comes with a confidence in knowing WHOM your hope is in!

² The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Ps 18

So dear friends, if you find yourself in a place of ruin, whether minor issues or major issues, determine to be found in the Stronghold of the Savior and in the wonderful prison of only hoping in the One. Then trust He will fulfill His promise and restore DOUBLE.

SPECIAL TREASURE!

My last post on thinking good thoughts from the scripture in Philippians 4 was really put into action today. I was able to help a family by taking them dinner. This wife and mother of two is so depressed, debilitated, and discourage all because of her thinking. I also believe she has some physical issues she is dealing with but mainly it is her thinking. She seems to have fallen into a sleepless depression and can only hear negative thought and is even having depressing dreams. I was unsure I wanted to go into this situation but was surprised to see her open the door with a smile and looking really "together". After listening for quite a while I simply encouraged her and gave her one scripture from Ps 34: ⁴ I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
All the fearful thoughts and fears were totally a lie that she was choosing to believe. A thought came to me (something I have pondered in the past) that there is one "GOOD THING ABOUT A LIE!" the opposite is the TRUTH!! We know that the biggest weapon the devil has is lying. How did he get Eve eat from the tree? A lie. The bible says that he, the devil was a murderer from the beginning and there is NO TRUTH in him
He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.John 8:44
So dear friends when you start thinking thoughts that would take away your courage, or thoughts that are always accusing you of the wrong you have done, remember that they are just lies and think the opposite.
Is it really that simple ? Yes! Remember this scripture...
Deuteronomy 7:6 ....the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.
You are loved and favored and God's special treasure !

Hello world

Hello blogging world! This is very new and exciting to get to share with the world wide web my thoughts on life and the story of how I live and love. I have named this blog after one of my favorite scriptures from the book of Philippians.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. This is such a practical list of how to think! Stop and ask yourself this question about the thoughts on your mind at this moment or the issues that you are facing: Is this true or a lie? Is this honest or dishonest? Is this justice or unjust? Is this pure or polluted? Is this lovely or hateful? Is this the good report or scandalous? Is this virtuous (morally excellent) or immoral? Is this thought worth shouting from the mountain top?
What are you thinking about?