You Are NEVER Alone! (God's Message to You)

Confession: 

I've never been this 'led' as to the content of a blog.  Instantly, as the theme took root in my mind

every word I read, or page I turned,  spoke this message: You are Never Alone. 

 God is sending you a message of love! 

 



 Only twice does the Torah use the expression, "lo tov" ...  which means: Not Good, and each time it refers to aloneness.  The first condition of spirit is to love and be loved.  The first hope of each heart is to find itself not alone.       

( FB post by Rabbi Wolpe, July 17th - last year - I wrote this in my study/prayer notebook)

 

There is evidence that when our need for social relationships is not met, we fall apart mentally and even physically. There are effects on the brain and on the body. Some effects work subtly, through the exposure of multiple body systems to excess amounts of stress hormones. Unmet social needs take a serious toll on health, eroding our arteries, creating high blood pressure, and even undermining learning and memory.

 

 ALONE contributes to deficiency.  You are incapable of being as positive as others and you feel emotionally distanced from them.  You have a much higher level of perceived stress...sleep lacks quality, is less beneficial, both physically and psychologically.  

We fail to take risks because we think we are alone.   It seems we are alone in dealing with challenges of our life.   If  this describes you....then God has a message for you today!

 

In Exodus God wanted to show His people that He was involved in their life.  He was saying, "In the worst of circumstances, you are not alone! I am the God who brought you out of the place of your slavery. I want to show you the full extent of who I AM."

 

Exodus 20:1,2    And GOD spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

 

Exodus 3:14  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM, and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

 

John 8:58  JESUS SAID unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

 

In other words,  I AM the God who is PRESENT and ACTIVE!  The phrase I AM THAT I AM, indicates action.  I want to be known as a God who is present and active in your life!  In the name Yahweh is the promise of the living presence of God Himself day by day with YOU. 

 

Leviticus 26:13  (NLT)

I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt so  you would no longer be slaves.  I have lifted the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk free with your heads held high. 

 

Another version says:  I broke the heavy weights that were on your shoulders and let you walk proudly again.

 

You have been redeemed from the slavery of "Alone" - You can now walk free with your head held high.   

 

I pray today that you may fully comprehend that the PRESENT AND ACTIVE GOD is with you.  Allow the presence of the active, energetic Holy Spirit to revive your soul and change your negative thoughts into a perception of courage and strength.  You are not alone.  Let me repeat:  You are not alone! 

 

With God, His Son, Jesus, and the precious Holy Spirit, THERE IS ACTION .  THERE IS ALWAYS ACTION..... The Holy Spirit does not reside in you only to be idle.  He does not spend His time relaxing.  He straightens your shoulders, lifts your head, and puts a dream in your heart!  He removes the weights from your shoulders and spends the day reminding you that you are free...

 

 If this blog was not for you, it is for certain ... God is speaking to me.

I will now say, "I am not alone."  Join me.
......

How to Make the World a Better Place!

The Duke of Wellington, the British military leader who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, was not an easy man to serve under. He was brilliant, demanding, and not one to shower his subordinates with compliments. Yet even Wellington realized that his methods left something to be desired. In his old age a young lady asked him what, if anything, he would do differently if he had his life to live over again.  Wellington thought for a moment, then replied.
"I'd give more praise," he said.  

There are some things you have to do on purpose! We are not naturally equipped to praise people.  Our lives are busy, running in a fast pace, with rarely a moment to ourselves. 

I can remember....yes, I can...when life was slower.  A day seemed longer and years didn't fly by.  We had one phone in the house.  One car outside.  Communication was via snail mail.  It was rare to place a long-distant phone call and we hurried so as not to run up the bill.   Saturday morning was for raking leaves, doing the laundry, and getting ready for church the next day, then in the afternoon we went to town to do our shopping. The dime store was a favorite place to go on Saturday afternoon when I was a kid.  Life was slower and we had time for each other.  Not so, today. 

Lives are running on empty today because we don't have time for each other.  We have more people contacts than we can keep up with, yet less closeness ... we know a lot of people, yet lack a good friend.  We are humans in need of encouragement and praise from each other.  And we all need it.

Remember what Wellington said?  He said, "I'd give more praise" -  In other words, he would slow down and take time to notice those around him and give encouragement to the men under his authority.

Giving something of ourselves and reaching out are the real keys to success and happiness.   Einstein wrote, ‘Only a life lived for others is worth living.’ This idea can sometimes be called adding value.

You could be the one to impart purpose, courage, and value in a person simply because you spoke positive words at the right time.  I ran across a few points - a few ways we can put value in a life:

1.  Show genuine interest in a person.  Look at them!  Ask questions.  Talk to them...about them!!  Let them express their opinions without feeling you need to judge what is said. 

2.  Validate who they are and what they are doing by paying attention to what is important to them.  Let's face it, we all crave attention!  We want to matter!  We want SOMEONE to care!

3.  Tell them "You did really well" -  "You are awesome" - "You can do this"... Brag on them!  You will feel good when you do!  It might make the difference in whether they give up or gain momentum. 

4.  Send a card, email, or text.  Tell them how much you appreciate their friendship.  Tell them you are praying for them.  Simply let them know they are in your thoughts!

Take time - slow down - on purpose - focus - pay attention to someone around you!!  Find your project or priority for the day.  Put value in a person...intentionally.  On purpose!

If you do this now, you won't have to look back in your old age and WISH you had given more praise, because you did! 

You just made the world a better place for all of us.  And I think Jesus is pleased!
....

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE...

AS a boy Robert Louis Stevenson was intrigued by the
work of the old lamplighter who went about with a ladder
and a torch, setting the street lights ablaze for the night.
One evening in Edinburgh, Scotland, as young Robert stood watching with childish fascination, his parents heard him exclaim, "Look, look!  There is a man out there punching holes in the darkness" ...

Putting my glasses on means it's time to work, search, type, read, or create a blog.  Speaking of ... here I go .... the illustration about Robert Louis Stevenson reminds me of this verse of scripture: NLT John 8:12,

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world.  If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

In other words,  Jesus punches holes in the darkness of our life.  We don't have to walk in darkness...void of spiritual life or void of light for living. 

I love the fact that Jesus is not only my Savior, but He came to dispel the darkness in my life.  I don't have to live in darkness, I need not walk around, groping for a reason to live, or grasping for hope and feeling as though there is none.  I can walk securely with my head held high, as a child of the most High, knowing Jesus Christ punches holes in any darkness the enemy attempts to bring into my life.

If you will notice we can't turn on darkness.  Darkness is the absence of light.  It is not possible to turn on darkness in the daytime.  But, I can turn on light in the darkness.  Jesus Christ brings light.

Darkness can be defined in a life by the following characteristics:  Depression, Doubt, Discouragement, Low self-esteem, Negative thoughts and attitudes, among many others.  Whatever hinders you from enjoying life and progressing in your dreams, can be attributed to darkness.  Whether it's caused by other people controlling your emotions by their behavior, or simply assuming life can't be better than it is...it is still darkness and Jesus came to Light Up Your Life.  Life can be better!

If you are struggling with life and feel as though it will never be better, no matter what you do. . . then this blog is for you.  Remember:  Jesus punches holes in the darkness. 

That is exciting news!     That is your hope!

With his life in disarray, Steven Lavaggi sat on his bedroom’s wooden floor, and began searching his Bible for answers. His wife had just left him to marry a writer for The Rolling Stone Magazine. Ten days later, Steven discovered his son was stricken with Juvenile Diabetes. Then he lost his graphic art business. 
Unemployed, abandoned, and worrying about his son, Lavaggi turned to God’s Word.

As Steven read, he skipped over the black letters, only wanting to read the words of Jesus. The Risen Christ emerged from the pages. Lavaggi gave his life to Jesus. 

As a new Christian, he clung to Psalm 91:11: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."

Out of his brokenness, came a passion to create a message of hope. He discovered his passion was to minister through fine art. He moved to California, to influence the people who influence the world--Hollywood. He is doing just that.
 

Follow Jesus and you won't walk in darkness. 

 

He will light up your life!

 .....

PUT AS MUCH LIFE IN THE DAY AS YOU CAN!

Life is a song - sing it.
Life is a game - play it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a dream - realize it.
Life is a sacrifice - offer it.
Life is love - enjoy it.

 

God is generous with humanity.  He gives us choices.  It is exciting to realize that I have the choice TODAY to put as much LIFE in the DAY as I can!  Erma Bombeck said it well:

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'."

Have you considered the amount of unused 'everything' left over at the end of the day?  How much LIFE have we wasted at the end of each day?  Remember the phrase:  If it is to be it is up to me. 

It is up to me to PUT AS MUCH LIFE IN THE DAY AS I CAN! 

1.  Give yourself permission to love life.

2.  Give yourself permission to laugh more.

3.  Give  yourself permission to create happy moments.

4.  Give yourself permission to love, even when you don't feel like loving.

5.  Give yourself permission to enjoy simple pleasures.

6.  Give yourself permission to do at least ONE thing that makes you happy today.

7.  Give God permission to manifest the love He has for you.

Our lifespan is brief.  Jesus said that He came to give us life and more abundantly.

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I love the more abundantly part!  

The Message Bible says it like this:  I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

The Amplified Bible:  I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).  TO THE FULL, TILL IT OVERFLOWS. 

Ah,  to have a day that is full of life and overflowing with all that Jesus brings!  It's true.  God wants you to have a great day.  You are a container and with the right focus and right choices, you can have abundant life overflowing from your container.  That means it will flow out to those around you!  

Circumstances do not determine your day....choose to overflow with life!  Make a choice to rejoice!  It's your day.  It's simple.  We make it far too complicated. 

Choose to trust when worry enters your mind.  Choose laughter over sadness.  Choose to believe instead of living in unbelief. 

Go ahead!  Live.  Put all you can into it!  Discover the difference! 

......

 

Put the Glass Down!

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed.

 

In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

 

She continued:

"The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything."

 

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early … as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!

 

This reminds me of the old hymn:  Leave it there.
 

When your enemies assail and your heart begins to fail,

Don’t forget that God in Heaven answers prayer;

He will make a way for you and will lead you safely through—

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Leave it there, leave it there,

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there;

If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out—

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

 

In other words, put the glass down!  You don't have to carry that burden day and night.
  

1 Peter 5:7  (Amplified)
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

God says,  Live carefree before Me.  Put the glass down.  Leave your burdens with Me. I will watch over you,  No plague shall come near you.  Evil can't approach you when you walk with Me.  I will guard your steps.  I'll get you out of trouble.  I will bless you with a long life.  Live carefree in My presence.  Let's make life a celebration.  A party.   You've had enough sad times. Now,  Let's have some good times.  

Put the Glass Down.  Let's walk together.
.....

 

 



Promise me you'll always remember...

Christopher Robin to Pooh:

Christopher Robin:  Pooh Bear, what if there came a tomorrow when we were apart.

Pooh Bear:  As long as we’re apart together we shall certainly be fine. 

CR:  If we weren’t together, if I were somewhere else...

PB:  But you really couldn’t be – and I would be quite lost without you.  Who would I call on those days when I'm just not strong enough...or ...brave enough?    

CR: Well,  actually...

PB:  And, who would I ask for advice when I didn’t know which way to turn?

CR: Pooh, we...

PB:  We?  We simply wouldn’t be...

CR:  Oh, Pooh.  If ever there’s a tomorrow when we’re not together, there’s something you must always remember...

PB:  And what might that be, Christopher Robin?

CR:  You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But even if we’re apart, I’ll always be with you.  Always.

====

I printed this quote " You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" in large font and taped it to my refrigerator.  I had just brought my husband home from rehab and as a caregiver, this time I was overwhelmed!  Overwhelmed and scared. 

I don't know where I found the quote, but it fell in my sight at just the time I needed it.  I was grasping for encouragement and strength - from any source! 

Who knew such depth existed in this clip of dialogue between Pooh Bear and Christopher Robin? 

I was braver than I believed, stronger than I seemed, and smarter than I thought... and we made it through that trial.

That's how Jesus Christ works in us.  He is our strength.  In His silence I found Him faithful.   I could do that which I didn't know I could do.  .  .  because it was His strength working through me. 

You may be in a challenging season and in need of strength!  Jesus Christ will not fail you.  Lean on Him. . . and . . .

Promise me you'll always remember. . .

You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think!

. . .

You Can't Walk Alone...

I can't live without you

I can't walk this road alone

In my heart I need you

Holy One, come take my hand

 

 

God always comes through.  It's true.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  He is everywhere at once. 



While you are being 'ordinary' ... He is still being God. 

Yesterday I was preparing to travel again - returning to my home town after hearing of my uncle's sudden passing.  It's a celebration for him...he was ready to see his Lord.  But....for the family, it's a difficult time.   Let  me share with you a few points showing that God simply took one of his children home.

1. After a normal day at work he went to the gym
2. At home he sat in his recliner waiting to watch The Walton's.
3. At an appointed moment - he left that recliner and walked through the gate of heaven.
4. His mother made this same journey - on this same date - a few years earlier.

Actually, I didn't start the blog with intentions of writing about his passing, but it is obviously another instance of God not forsaking us and it's important to note those special times.  I meant to write about the above chorus. 

I was being ordinary, as I mentioned,  and I'll admit, my spirit was a little heavy.  "I decided" to listen to music.  I grabbed my Nook, logged in to Pandora....not a clue as to which song would play and it happened!  God showed that He is still being God.

The words captured my attention.  I stopped.  Listened.  Ran for my notebook to jot the words down so I could remember them.  These few words ministered to my spirit.

I can't live without you...
    I can't walk this road alone...
        In my heart I need you....
            Holy One, come take my hand...

Thank You, Lord for sending a simple but powerful message when I needed it.

Oh, I need to explain the "I decided" part.  It wasn't my decision....the thought came from the Holy Spirit.  That's how He works.   While I was being ordinary....He was still being God.

Watch for Him.  He shows up when you least expect it. 

He can do that.  He's God.
---------------------------------
P.S,  I'm not familiar with the song "Without You" and I am not acquainted with The Parachute Band, but I know God used them to lift my spirit yesterday.  As I said, God is still being God.
.....