Thursday, September 24, 2015

The Chase

Isaiah 61:10 (NIV)

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.



Time moves without obeying any stop or yield signs.  It seems like yesterday, I was a young girl being pursued by a young man who seemed to have an interest in me.  Truth be told I had an interest in him! The year was 1979, the Federal debt was $829.5 billion; the U.S. Voyager I space probe photos reveal Jupiter's rings;  Michael Jackson released his first breakthrough album, Off the Wall; average monthly rent $280.00 and the cost of a gallon of gas .86 cents. NO I don't have this memorized, I Googled it! 


What is edged in my mind is the day he came into my life.  In the recesses of my mind, I can see what he was wearing as he leaned on his brown Montego vehicle.  He drove to where I had just moved just to say, "hello". Well--HELLO!

We dated and in 3 years time we got to know each other and then the question, "will you marry me".  HELLO----Yes!  It's been 36 years since the day he pulled up just to bring a greeting.  


Time is an interesting thing; it encapsulates my life.  It let's me know how old I am; reminds me of yesterday and even how long it's been since I last ate.  So, three years later we got married and lived happily ever after.

Well, happily ever after is for fairy tales.  Marriage is hard work; a commitment to each other no matter time brings.  I love this man and I am surrendered to him till death do us part.  He is the covering and provision  that God has sent for me.  He would do anything for me--I know that!!  I love him!

Outside of time is another who desires my hand in marriage.  Actually he will allow his hands to be pierced for the sake of the union.  He shouts from the beginning of time, I love you!  He will re-arrange anything to make me his.  He will leave the Throne Room but never his royalty; He will release a song over me, begin to build a home in glory for me and will satisfy the debt I owe.  This debt is not Federal but Spiritual; sin that has tripped me.  His love will pursue me until I can recognize his call for me.  He will chase, follow me and reveal his eternal love for me.

This relationship is not easy.  I often make more mistakes; break the Father's heart but he is commitment to me!  He is my eternal covering and had made provision to cover my mess.
That year the sin debt might as well been a billion times a billion because one sin was enough to separate me from Him.  But, he loves me.  He paid for my debt.  He is the Groom that has lavished this bride. He loves me!  I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

Papo thank you for sharing this life with me!  Jesus thank you for making me whole and sending this man to love me.  Thirty-six years goes by pretty fast.  Eternity is forever; have you considered the One that is drawing you to Himself?

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com


Monday, September 14, 2015

It's the most wonderful time of the year!



Psalm 143:8 (KJV) Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…… No it’s not winter but the season that precedes it; it is FALL (perhaps not officially)!

This is my favorite time of year with Spring being second in line. As I sat outside this morning in my pajamas, cup of coffee in hand it was glorious! To any visitor that would have stopped by my house this morning- I look like a wreck. You know ladies, you just got up, the hair is a mess; I brushed my teeth and outside I went as if it was a long desired treat!

The breeze was invigorating; I felt like I could climb the trees in my back yard and sway and compete with all the branches that moved to the song of the gentle wind; I was jealous.

God’s creation is so beautiful and as I sat there talking with my Lord and thanking him for the beauty my eyes beheld and the breeze my face felt, well it was a private time of worship with me and my Father.

I rocked back and forth on the swing in my backyard with Bible in hand reading of the different mentions of praise in the Scriptures; so many authors with expression of praise unto God.

There is a boasting and celebration for the great things that God has done! I read once again about the various times of thanksgiving, hands extended in praise to our Lord. The very visible expressions of praise as the writers illustrate how they bowed down to the Lord; the instruments they plucked to honor the Almighty; the songs that were sung in times of pain and victory. Oh praise the Lord oh my soul!

I too began to speak and sing out loud as I praised my God.

Prompted by the very experience of the gentle breeze, my soul began to express thanksgiving unto God!

I was reminded of the day my life changed. Yes, like a gentle breeze I was swept away by the Lover of my Soul! “ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”(John 3:8)

God is so good! Thank you for saving my soul! Thank you for revealing yourself to me over and over again! There is an expression of praise in the Scriptures; in the Hebrew it reads “Todah”. It is an expression of thanksgiving, bringing an offering and in one mention it alludes to an offering of thanksgiving even before the victory comes. “Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me (Todah), and to the blameless I will show my salvation.” (Psalm 50:23)

Oh, let us praise his Name! The victory indeed belongs to our God. We all have challenges. Today as I sat outside perhaps an eyesore to whoever passed by; I indeed was visited by the Spirit of God and enjoyed a refreshing time in his Presence! I don’t repel him; he does not care what I look like in the morning or any other time; he is acquainted with suffering (Isaiah 53:3) and he desires my company. He wants me to engage with him daily. “And he talks with me and he walks with me and he tells me I am his own”! YES!!! He loves me!

Can I sing a Christmas song at the end of Summer—yes I can. It’s the most wonderful time of the year…..

God bless you!~Liz

Did you hear me, God?

In this story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, I’m pleased with what God reminded me again today regarding prayer. Zechariah a priest was se...