LORD, have You forgotten me? Why are You hiding? I have no words. I am completely covered in sadness. My enemies seem to be winning.
LORD, hear me. Think of me. I can’t sleep. I need Your protection from the bullies around me.
I trust You! I know You love me! You have saved me. You have given me so much.
I will sing of Your love forever!
Sunday Psalms are the Psalms in my own words. You can click on the Psalm number at the top to read it from the English Standard Version.
Chewy has decided he (and Ebony) like the spaces my office provides. They can be found resting in my comfy reading chair, bathing on my desk chair, sitting in the window, and demanding my attention when I’m trying to work. (Sandpaper kisses always work!)
I tried a super simple recipe for a gathering we were having with friends. I thought, no one has said they will bring dessert so I better come up with something. Usually, Ray doesn’t like me to experiment in the food area when we have guests. He had to agree, this was worth it. All it lacked was a scoop of ice cream. You can use any kind of fresh or frozen fruit with this.
Blueberry Cookie Casserole Yummmmmmmmm!
4 cups blueberries, rinsed and tossed in 1/4 cup sugar. Put this into your sprayed, slow cooker. Open a package of Sugar Cookie Mix and sprinkle the whole thing on top of the fruit. Slice 1 stick of butter and dot the top. Put the lid on and cook for 2 1/2 hours on High.
Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. Romans 12:2 ERV
As I pondered these words I realized I was doing just that, letting those around me affect my thoughts. I love my cats and there are many who don’t understand why. They give me great joy and happiness as I watch them play and live life exactly as a cat should. I also love to eat and although I currently watch my diet very carefully, eating only foods that have no sugar or wheat, I do not let that stop me from enjoying my food. (Yes, I know the above recipe doesn’t reflect that because it is from several years ago, but it’s still a good recipe.)
God does not want us to base our lives on what others think or what we think they think. He wants us to enjoy the life He’s given us.
Blessings and success to you and yours!
Marie
Father, God, answer my prayer. You have made me right in Your eyes. You have calmed my fears. Forgive me and hear my prayer.
Why do so many hate me? Will they ever stop listening to the lies and dishonesty of the know-it-alls?
God knows His children! He hears me when I call.
Think about why you’re so angry. Don’t always say what you are thinking. Do not sin!
Repent and trust God!
Shine down on me! Let me know Your goodness and joy.
In my sleep, You alone protect me. You give me peace!
Sunday Psalms are the Psalms in my own words. You can click on the Psalm number at the top to read it from the NIV Bible.
Do not agree with the wicked or follow a sinner’s ways or agree with those who put down others. The person who knows God’s Word, thinks about it constantly, and lives it, is blessed.
That person will prosper like a tree that is planted by a stream of water, healthy and yielding its fruit abundantly, in season.
The wicked will be blown away like a useless corn husk. Having no use or purpose it is judged as unnecessary and thrown out.
God watches His righteous people.
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
Sunday Psalms are the Psalms in my own words. You can click on the Psalm number at the top to read it from the NIV Bible.
What is being holy all about? We are called to be holy. I have thought and thought about this thing of being holy for a very long time. I thought I didn’t have it, but I really wanted it.
God said, in the first verse of Leviticus 19, “Be holy, because I am holy!” He then goes on to tell us how to do that. I know Leviticus is not one of the modern Believer’s favorite books. It’s full of rules and customs and laws that are ancient, and, well we’re New Testament Believers, right?
I used a bit of sarcasm here because Jesus definitely had something to say about that. He said, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come—it isn’t to cancel the laws of Moses and the warnings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them and to make them all come true.” Matthew 5:17NLV
I hope you will take the time to read the whole chapter of Leviticus 19. It’s amazing! (Just click on the blue letters and it will take you to Bible Gateway.) There are so many answers to our culture’s questions about what God says about so many issues. When God said, “Be holy, because I am holy”, He didn’t just leave it at that. He went on to explain in the next verses how to do that. I picked out 10 that stood out to me. I’ve paraphrased some of them for you:
1. Worship God ONLY
2. Keep the Sabbath. God does not say worship on the Sabbath. He says rest on the Sabbath. The expectation here is we can and should worship every day. But since we work every day we need to rest so we have the energy to do our jobs effectively. God knew that so He said, do it.
3. Give your offering sacrificially. Remember the woman with the 2 mites. It was all she had so she gave all she had.
4. Obey His commandments. Yes, all 10 of them!
5. Do not use His Name for anything but worship. This OMG stuff is completely unacceptable to Him. When I hear it or see it the Spirit within me cringes.
6. Care for the needy. That’s why we have the admonition to leave the edges of the fields unharvested. It’s a really creative way to give to the needy. Those who need it can harvest it.
7. Be just. Don’t skew the law because of race, color, creed, wealth, age… or just because you want it your way.
8. Be loving and treat all with respect. I discovered early on, in my teaching career, that respecting my students made a huge difference in what they learned.
9. Do not lie! Can we please go back to just saying what is true? Political correctness and tolerance for everything and anything are way out of control.
10 Avoid hate, violence, and sexual immorality. We are living in a time where these sins are rampant. Stay away from all three!
So how do we ‘become’ holy? It really is a daily process. It doesn’t just happen when the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. There’s more to it. Holiness requires some thought and work. We are called, invited, and commanded to make holiness a part of our lives.
He created us in His image. He wants us to show the World who He is.
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
A Satisfied Spirit 
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