As I awoke this morning with feelings of foreboding about what might be, God whispered, “It’s Okay, I’m in Control, No matter what comes today your Hope is in me..”

My hope is not found upon this Earth, it rests in God. “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” Psalm 16:9

In my daily verse He reminded me that this world is not my home, my inheritance is not found upon this earth. Regardless of what comes in the weeks, months or years ahead, nothing can destroy what I have in Him.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” 1 Peter 1:3-4

As we all await the election results that will be determined sometime this week, I can not help but contemplate the America we are today in contrast to the America we once called our own. I reflect on the heritage of our past knowing that many will come that will never know or understand what has been lost.

Our country once held to the heritage given to us by God, given to us because of the principles upon which America was established. Our country once recognized God as the ultimate power, seeking to follow the commandments of His word. Men and women of generations past fought with their lives to secure a Godly heritage that could be passed down to the many generations that would come after them, yet there came a time when as a nation we allowed the principles of that heritage to slip away.

“And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.” Jeremiah 2:7 What America once stood for is no longer a reality; our Godly heritage is quickly disappearing.

As I see the many faults of this great land I stand with a thankful heart to have been born during a time when I had the opportunity to learn of the heritage upon which we were established. No matter what happens with the election, I know in my heart that I have a Godly heritage that can not be taken away. My heritage exists in my Heavenly Father. “But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.” Jeremiah 3:19

Knowing Him as Lord of my life, following His word, my heritage is secure in Him. “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Psalm 119:111

Because of my relationship with my Lord and Savior as I follow Him; He has promised to protect me no matter what lies ahead. He has promised to keep me until the time I go to be home with Him. This is the promise of my heritage.

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17

If tomorrow I awake and the America I once knew no longer exists, I stand secure in “my heritage” knowing my Lord is still in control.

“And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” Psalm 119:45

Liberty was a founding principle upon which our country was established, but lately I struggle to feel liberty is being honored any more. Liberty: the state of being free. I no longer feel free to say, do or even believe in what I feel to be right. All that was once viewed as “right” within our country is now being proclaimed as wrong. Everything around us has been reversed from what it was once established upon. Our sense of security has been taken away.

Yet, I still possess the ability to walk at liberty in the power given to me by my Lord and Savior. I still am free from the bondage of this world because I have placed my faith in the one that came to heal the broken hearted and set free those that were in-prisoned.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;” Isaiah 61:1

God wants us to walk at liberty. He created us to live victorious over the evil of this world, establishing a means of deliverance.

“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Romans 8:21

Wherever God is present there is the power of liberty, the possibility of walking at liberty. The liberty that we experience in our Heavenly Father can never be taken by the powers of this world; for where the Spirit of the Lord exists there is liberty.

“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

Knowing that I have this liberty, I no longer need to allow myself to become encumbered with the yoke of bondage with which the devil tries to entangle me. I am to stand fast in the liberty that I have in Christ.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

I can sit around bemoaning the struggles going on around me or I can stand knowing that I walk at liberty in Christ. My focus should be on Him and the work He is doing in and through my life for therein I possess the ability to walk at liberty.

“And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” Psalm 119:45

“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.” Psalm 86:5-7

When my heart is bowed low before Him, He sees and hears me. He answers when I call, extending mercy and compassion.

“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15

My hope lies in knowing that He is faithful; His mercy never runs out, it is renewed every morning.

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

So many books have been written on questions such as, “Why am I here?” or “What is my purpose?”. Much of our growing up experiences involve wondering what we will become when we are an adult. Some even look toward the future with agonizing frustration as they seem unable to determine the correct path to take to lead them to where they need to go. Yet, all we need to do is look to God’s Word. He has given us a charge, the charge to love Him and follow His statutes, judgments and commandments.

“Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.“ Deuteronomy 11:1

This charge was given to the children of Israel, but is still holds true for us today. So what is a charge? Webster defines it in this context as someone imposing a task or responsibility on another. God gave them a task, a responsibility as His people to love Him, follow Him, and keep His commandments.

Often we contemplate what it is that God is directing us toward; asking the question, “What does God want me to do?” As with the children of Israel, God has given us a charge, just as David gave this same charge to his son Solomon in I Kings 2:3.

“And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:” 1 Kings 2:3

God has given us a charge; a responsibility that we are asked to fulfill, a task that we are to perform. The “how” associated with completing this task becomes possible as we start each day seeking God; spending time with Him, loving Him for who He is in all things. Through time in His Word, we find direction and clarity for our lives. Each day we see Him working, guiding us toward the path He is establishing before us.

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.” Psalm 63:1-4

As we see God for who He is we understand that it is through His power that we are able to complete the charge He has given us. Keeping the charge becomes possible as we surrender to Him, coming before Him with a heart of praise, loving Him with all of our heart, and seeking to follow His commandments. As we learn to love Him and follow Him, He makes a way before us guiding us toward the way ahead. All we have to do is follow, He provides all that we need to complete the work He has given us to do. “Keeping His charge” no longer seems burdensome.

Looking back in Deuteronomy 11, we are reminded of the blessing and the curse given to the children of Israel in regard to the charge that God laid before them. There are blessings in keeping the charge, but there is a curse upon the lives of those that fail to complete the task they have been given. God will bless our work, but He will judge our failure to keep the charge He has given us to do.

” Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28

I hunger for the blessings that come from “Keeping His Charge“. ” Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

I look around me and I reflect. I scan the walls lined with photographs of family and friends, my children and grand-children. I look about at all of the “stuff” I have accumulated over the years of my life; and I ask myself the question, “Where is my treasure?” Where have I placed my heart, for that is where I will find my treasure.

“And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

So I pondered my treasure.

“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” Proverbs 8:11

“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” Proverbs 16:16

This world places value on that which is of little true value. They look outward rather than inward. They look upon the Earth for fulfillment rather than to Heaven for the true source of inner joy and peace.

The Wise Men knew where great treasure could be found when they followed the star that appeared in the east. They knew the true value of the one that they sought.

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11

All of this worlds wealth pales in comparison to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Unto Him we bring all that we are not and He turns it into treasure in heaven.

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” Proverbs 8:17-21

My treasure, my true treasure is found in Him, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ !!!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

My husband and I are currently working to renovate and furnish a bed and breakfast in the area where we live. As I think about each of the rooms and various living spaces, I am spending much thought about ensuring that each room is furnished in a way that every need of our guest is provided for to the best of our ability. When we open Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast, our goal is to have spaces that are throughly furnished.

(Authors Note: Throughly: completely; thoroughly: in a complete manner.)

Looking back at 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we are told that all scripture is given so that everything we need, to do the good work that God has called us to is throughly furnished. Everything we need is completely furnished for us, there is not one thing missing.

“For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.” Deuteronomy 2:7

No matter what we face, no matter where life takes us, God has given us everything we need to face the wilderness. We lack for nothing. His Word guides us and directs us in the way we should go, providing us everything we need for the journey.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

Everything has been throughly furnished . . .

As a former classroom teacher, one of my continual concerns was to check for understanding. Were my students grasping what I was teaching? Did they have a good understanding of the concepts we were covering in class? Would they be able to take what they had learned and apply it to a real world situation?

Some days I see God working in my life checking for understanding. I often ask myself, “Am I understanding what God is trying to show me?, Am I able to apply what He is teaching me?” I know that following my own understanding of things will end up in a mess, but He promises to give understanding if I look to Him.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

There are days when I know I’m not yet seeing what He is guiding me toward; there are pieces that I do not yet understand. I have assurance in those times that if I continue to come into Him, He will give me understanding.

“Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.” Psalm 119:73

Once He opens my eyes so that I can understand what He is speaking to my heart, then I am to follow Him applying what He is teaching me.

“Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” Psalm 119:34-35

As I seek Him, as I continue to listen to His word and His instruction, the way before me becomes clear and I have assurance in the way that He is directing me.

“So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:2-6

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments : his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:10

So it is that I can have a “Good Understanding” of the way ahead, if only I come before Him in full surrender as I embrace His commandments in every aspect of my life. I can begin to master the concepts He is teaching me, applying what I am learning from His Word.

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

This was the daily verse that popped up on my app this morning. As I normally do I spent some time reflecting upon it before my feet ever hit the floor, I examined my heart. My heart is such a difficult part of my humanness to trust. It is a constant battle to keep my heart in line with God. The whole idea of following my heart is a worldly idea. Everyone says, just follow your heart and it will lead the way; NO, absolutely not. I have followed my heart in the past only to find myself completely off track.

I find that I struggle daily seeking to know if my heart is pure before God. It’s a battle the devil doesn’t want me to win. God’s word is true, my heart can deceive me if I’m not careful.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

So how can I have a pure heart? How can I ensure that my heart is pure before God?

“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:22-23

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22

Drawing near to God is key, I find that the closer I am to Him the purer my heart becomes. A pure heart can be found through following God’s commandments; through placing our faith in Him as we continually seek to cleanse our conscience from the evil of this world that threatens to invade our heart.

“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” 1 Timothy 1:5

A pure heart before God will be well worth the battle, it brings His blessings.

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

It’s October, where did June go? I’m 52, where did 35 go? Life seems to be an illusive thing, something that can be hard to hold on to as it moves so quickly. But God tells us how we can find it.

“For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.” Proverbs 8:35

Life exists and moves in God. He is the giver of life and He is the sustainer of life, without Him there is no life. Life today and life tomorrow can only be found in Him.

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

We do not only find eternal life in Him, we find the joy of life today in Him. This life is found by following after righteousness and seeking mercy in Him.

“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.” Proverbs 21:21

In this life that we have been given, the true joy comes by giving our life to Him in service to others. That is where we find life !!

“He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:39

The true joy of living comes not from seeking after the things of this world, all of that will fade away; but in Jesus we find a life full of joy !!!

“Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.” Acts 2:28