Reflections: Let us Rejoice

DEAR READERS, 

Here is a Devotional Blog I wrote back in January. I didn't get the chance to post it then so it's posted as a reflection today. I don't really remember the exact date but I hope that it brings some kind of Joyful noise to your souls :-)...

The LORD'S unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!" Psalm 32:10, 11

God controls and allows every detail of our lives. Nothing happens without His knowledge and approval. It may seem like he doesn’t care sometimes but we all know deep down that he truly do care and that he cares a whole lot. So often we see a situation coming and begin to think “How in the world are we going to get through this?” and the answer may seem simple but it requires us to let go.   

My mother always told me “Matthew James, Let go and Let God for once, you can’t fix everything, and if you could why would you need God to save you.” That is so true. Every day, little changes in schedule or small irritations occur. Everyday, we can choose to let these obstacles upset us, or we can rest in the knowledge that God lovingly ordained them as small irritants to help us look to and rely on Him. 

For example, we can grumble about the frustrating traffic jam that is keeping us from getting somewhere on time, or we can remember that God knows about our deadlines and view the time sitting in traffic as an opportunity to pray. We can complain, or we can rejoice. “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, and again I say rejoice, rejoice in the Lord always and again I say……REJOICE…….” :-)

May we allow the knowledge that we are continually surrounded by God's unfailing love to fill our lives and chase away our complaints and fears. Let us always remember that no matter what the circumstance God’s in control and life can always be enjoyable. :-)

Adapted from http://www.christianperspective.net/articles/devotionalthoughts.html

Well that will be it for now, Hopefully will have some more to post a little down the road. I hope you all have a blessed week and that the LORD himself give you joy when you need it the most. :-)

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Complete Devotion

DEAR READERS,

This is a devotional Blog that I wrote a while back and I want to share it with everyone. I wrote a little blurb on this topic a while back but here is the extended devotional that was the basis for that little blurb. I hope it brings some encouragement.  

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth, give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.”  Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

When I read this the first time it seemed like a pretty good verse.  It reminded me about the passage in Matthew that talked about serving two masters, and the passage in Joshua that talks about choosing this day whom we will serve. Two passages that really speak to the heart, if we let them. In many ways the three ask the same question, What does your heart belong too?

For now we will just stick with the one verse we have before us though.  When we look at this passage in the good news translation of the Bible instead of ‘give me an undivided heart’ it says, ‘teach me to serve you with complete devotion’.  One thing about serving is that it is an action, which means we actually have to do something in our hearts to serve with complete devotion.

In other words, we can’t devote our life to both God and something else.  At some point in our lives there will be things that try to pull our hearts away from God whether we know it or not and we must be able to over come those desires. I believe what it comes down to is this question, How do we serve with complete devotion? It’s simple, we practice letting go and letting God.  Of course it’s not that simple but that’s where the glory of it is. Daily we choose to give our life and our day to HIM.

Whatever is on your hearts today, don’t let it get the best of you.  Think about what it means to serve with complete devotion and take time to ask God “what can I do with this situation today to help me rely more upon you?” Instead of spending so much time trying to figure everything out, give it to God, tell HIM, “LORD, I WILL NOT LET ME, GET THE BEST OF ME, It belongs to you and only you”.

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Long Time Coming

Dear Readers,

It sure has been quite a long time since I've posted something on this page. I know I say this every time but I really need to get back in the swing of things.  I don't know if I will or not but I want to try to at least. Maybe now with recent changes in the life of The Elliott's this blog will be update more often and maybe not.

I just want to say though the last 6 months or so have been extremely difficult for Traci and I. We have run into some pretty hard situations and aren't through with them yet. I don't need to go into the details at this point in time because it will all come out eventually. Life is full of little surprises though. Even with everything that's been going on Traci and I are still loving and learning about life. Our marriage is still fantastic, we have some wonderful friends and there are little things that keep popping up that make everything we are going through worth it :-).

I just want to end this short little blog with one little word of encouragement...

(I may end up writing a devotional blog on this but I'm not sure yet)

You are God’s child, and God will give you the blessing he promised!  Galatians 4:7

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.