Scriptures of Encouragement ~ The Secret Things

A stiff breeze kicked up as Blue and I walked beneath the canopy of pine. The day was adorned with a Carolina blue sky peppered with puffs of clouds. Gone were the ominous clouds of the winter storm that dumped twelve inches of snow across our mountain landscape.

Gone was the heaviness that had plagued me for months.

Pine needles crunched beneath my feet, emitting the evergreen scent of winter. In the shade of the pine canopy I heard music. Not music like you would expect, but music that turned my thoughts toward the Lord. 

Pine branches were rubbing against each other in the wind, releasing the sound of violins. It wasn't classical, as in an orchestra, yet the sound was undeniably like that of a violin. The sound rose and fell into different crescendos as the evergreen boughs buckled and swayed in the wind. The more the branches surrendered to the power of the wind, the more beautiful their song.

Is it in our surrendering to the power of the Holy Spirit that our lives become one of praise? Can it be that true praise occurs from the rubs in life - the difficulties, the struggles, the unexpected stiff winds that blow?

"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, 

but those things which are revealed 

belong to us and to our children forever..." 

~ Deuteronomy 29:29

The secret things. The mysteries of God.

For His ways are not our ways and His thoughts not our thoughts. In our difficulties we are drawn to the mercy and love of the Lord. In our difficulties, He is drawn to us. And that is where we learn the deep meaning of praise - praise that lifts us into His mighty and endearing Presence.

Like the music of the bending pines, I pray that my life will bend into sweet surrender as the breath of God blows over me. I pray that in the bending, the world will hear the melody of His love.

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Pine needles crunched beneath my feet, emitting the evergreen scent of winter. (Click to Tweet)

Can it be that true praise occurs from the rubs in life - the unexpected stiff winds that blow? (Click to Tweet)

In our difficulties, He is drawn to us. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page. I'm featuring an instrumental piece, "Eternal Love - Beautiful Violin Music". You may want to listen to it as you read. It's awesome.

Scriptures of Encourgement ~ Am I That Mirror?

The lake rippled like sand dunes in the wind. Tiny prisms of light skipped across the water reflecting the brilliance and glory of the dawning sun - a mirror of something deeper, something more. A mirror of our Creator.

I'm learning that God expects the same of me.

"But we all, with unveiled face, 

beholding as in a mirror 

the glory of the Lord, 

are being transformed into the same image 

from glory to glory, 

just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 

~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

Am I consciously being a mirror? Is my life reflecting Jesus? My work? Is He glorified in me?

The lake became ablaze with light and shades of magenta. It magnified the beauty of the heavens, drawing me into the Presence of the Lord. The reflected light streamed peace into my weary soul as I stood mesmerized by its beauty.

And like the lake beaming with a million points of light, when I turn my eyes on the Lord, I am a mirror reflecting His light, streaming peace into a frightened world, beauty into the darkened places.

Selah

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

The lake rippled like sand dunes in the wind. (Click to Tweet)

The water reflected the glory of the dawn - a mirror of something deeper, something more. (Click to Tweet)

When I turn my eyes on Jesus, I am a mirror reflecting His light into the darkened places of this world. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page. I'm featuring a powerful song, "Search Me, Know Me," by Kathryn Scott. It's a beautiful prayer that will connect you to the throne of grace.
  Bless you.

How Do I Find God? Sunday Glimpses

Lord, I pray that I will never grow so familiar with Your love that it loses its power. It is a miracle beyond human comprehension. Thank You. Thank You for Your faithfulness, Your mercy, and Your grace. Open the eyes of our hearts to know and understand the depths of Your love. Quicken the reality that nothing will or can separate us from Your love. I find power in that Truth. Comfort. And peace. I pray for the one struggling today to feel worthy of Your love. Speak clearly to them, Lord. Till the soil of their heart to receive Your Word glorified through Jesus. Open their ears to hear Your sweet whispers of love and affirmation. Connect the dots for them so they gain understanding. Your love reaches to the highest mountain, and flows to the lowest valleys. Your love wraps us in glorious light that dispels all darkness. Your love binds us to Your heart where nothing can ever separate us from You. Thank You, Father. You are holy. You are good. You are worshiped and adored.
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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Lord, I pray that I will never grow so familiar with Your love that it loses its power. (Click to Tweet)

How Do I Find God? Sunday Glimpses (Click to Tweet)

Lord, Your love binds us to Your heart where nothing can separate us from You. (Click to Tweet)
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Please don't carry your burdens alone. If you need prayer, you may contact me directly at nan@jubilantlight.com

Scriptures of Encouragement ~ A Flap, A Flurry, and a Flutter

I'm preparing to leave this weekend for the Writer's ADVANCE! Boot Camp, so I'm crazy busy, but didn't want to miss a blog posting. My readers are so faithful to me. In appreciation, I do the best to remain faithful to you, as well.

As I walked Blue today, the Lord reminded me of a post I wrote in 2011, A Flap, A Flurry, and a Flutter. Please click on the link to revisit one of my favorites. I think you'll enjoy it.

I cherish your prayers as I follow my dream and answer God's call on my life. Please know this: I pray for my readers often and I am always available to pray individually with you. You may contact me directly at nan@jubilantlight.com

Scriptures of Encouragement ~ The Tenderness of God

"But, Daddy, I don't want to go!"

It was time for our grandson to return to his mom's house. Broken homes equal broken hearts. Even when there's no animosity between divorced parents, broken homes still equal broken hearts.

I cuddled him in my lap, wiping his tears. "Do you want me to ride with you and daddy to your momma's house?"

He shook his head up and down.

I sat in the backseat holding his hand, stroking the soft skin. The night was ablaze with a full moon. Its brilliance was glorious, its light reflecting off the snow-laden mountains. 

"Look at the moon," I said. "Did you know that all of creation praises God with its beauty?" My grandson nodded his head once again. As his eyes searched the night sky, I could tell his mind was beginning to focus on blessings rather than his disappointment. We began looking to the heavens in search of evidence of God. Clouds were rolling in over the mountains, their colossal shapes defined by the moonlight.

And then, the Lord showed His tenderness to my grandchild.

"Grandma, look! It's a car! That cloud is a car."

Sure enough, the cloud that had drifted in front of the moon looked exactly like a sports car. There was even a square shape where the trunk would be, complete with fenders and wheels. No, I'm not kidding. I'm sure most of us have found shapes in the clouds, but at night? And a car? Not me.

Even in the magnificence of God, He remains tender toward His child.

My little guy adores cars. Always has. Always will. Just like his daddy. I said, "God just gave you a hug, a special gift just to let you know He loves you." You should have seen the grin. Beautiful.

The "car" remained back-lit from the moon until we reached his momma's house. Together, we rejoiced in the goodness of God. I hugged him goodbye. As my son and I drove back down the mountain road I watched the night sky. The "car" cloud was no longer there. It had morphed into nondescript ripples parading in front of a glorious moon.

Selah.

"Great are the works of the LORD; 

They are pondered by all who delight in them. 

Glorious and majestic are his deeds, 

and His righteousness endures forever. 

He has caused His wonders to be remembered; 

The LORD is gracious and compassionate." 

~ Psalm 11:2-4, NIV

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

We began looking to the heavens in search of evidence of God. (Click to Tweet)

Even in the magnificence of God, He remains tender toward His child. (Click to Tweet)

Do you need to know how much you're loved? I pray this will encourage you. (Click to Tweet)




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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page. I'm featuring a favorite of many: "Shout to the Lord" by Darlene Zschech of Hillsong. This just might be what you need to get through the day.

How Do I Find God? Sunday Glimpses

Father God, You are a magnificent God. You are full of wonder. Your love is beyond comprehension. Thank You, Lord. Open the eyes of our hearts to understand Your sovereignty. You hung the stars in place and yet You call us by name! That's amazing. And, Lord, as You are magnificent, so are You tender towards Your child.  Help us take hold of the truth that You have everything under control that concerns us. Nothing takes You by surprise. You are orchestrating our lives, putting the puzzle pieces together for us. Teach us to rest in that knowledge, Lord. To rest. To trust. And to know that You are good.
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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Lord, You hung the stars in place & yet You call us by name! (Click to Tweet)

Lord, as You are magnificent so are You tender towards Your child. (Click to Tweet)

Lord, teach us to rest. To trust. To know that You are good. (Click to Tweet)

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Please don't carry your burdens alone. I would be honored to pray for you. You may contact me directly at nan@jubilantlight.com

Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Blood Soaked Snow

I have a treat for you today. I'm featuring a thought-provoking poem written by my friend, Marcie Bridges. Poetry oozes out of this girl at all hours of the day and night. I know this one will touch your heart with wonder.

Photo Credit: www.worshipphotos.com

 

 BLOOD SOAKED SNOW

I watch as the snowflakes drift lazily on a whisper of air
down onto the hard, unforgiving earth.
It lands softly covering the dirt, decay, filth,
filling cracks, crevices, corners and ditches.
The water seeping through the thirsty dry deterioration
of cracked parched lips and winter hands.
Blood
drip, drip, dripping, pooling at the base of a cross
like the blood from birds dead by windmills.
Blood that runs in rivulets down the hill through the shadow
to my bent kneeling body
staining, blanketing earth and cracked dry feet
covering, clothing, washing my heart
like fresh fallen snow
the newness that makes all things clean.

~Marcell Warner Bridges
©28 January 2014

"'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.'" ~ Isaiah 1:18 

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

I watch as snowflakes drift lazily on a whisper of air. (Click to Tweet)

Blood runs in rivulets down the hill thru the shadow to my ben kneeling body. (Click to Tweet) 

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Marcell Warner Bridges is wife, mother, and currently a student at Lenoir-Rhyne University studying for her Bachelors of Arts in English.

Marcell has been writing poetry since a young age and desires to encourage others in their walk with Christ through the written word. Marcell has been published in several anthologies and frequently shares her work through her blog: Heart Thoughts http://marcieheartthoughts.blogspot.com/

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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page. I'm featuring one of my favorites: Kristyn Getty singing, "The Power of the Cross". This sweet lady takes me right to the throne of grace. 

 

Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Waiting. Hoping. Listening.

"Tomorrow go down against them."

The Israelites, about one million strong, were up against an enemy army numbering close to three million. Three million! Can you imagine the fear? The probability of defeat? Under the leadership of King Jehoshaphat, the children of God sought the Lord, His guidance, and courage. They worshiped Him.

Then a great hush came upon the people as they stood before the Lord. Waiting. Hoping. Listening.

In the holiness of the moment, the Lord said, 

"Do not be afraid 

nor be dismayed because of this great multitude, 

for the battle is not yours, but God's. 

Tomorrow go down against them." 

~ 2 Chronicles 20: 15b-16a.

Did you catch that? The Lord told His children to not be afraid - don't worry. He would be with them and would fight the battle for them, but..."tomorrow go down there against them."

Huh? God said the battle is His, but His people still had to go through the adversity. Really?

Yes, really.

When adversity pounds at the door, and our hearts pound in our chest, heaven is ripe with the anticipation of glory. I'm learning that God delights in showing His glory - His power and might - to His children. Adversity, trials, and struggles draw us to the Father, causing us to cling to Him.

Adversity opens our eyes to see and behold the One who loves us.

The children of Israel rose early the next morning. As they set out into the wilderness to face their foes, Jehoshaphat exhorted them to "Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established."

Believe. 'aman (ah-mahn). Our familiar term, amen, comes from this Hebrew word. Amen means "it is solidly, firmly, surely true and verified and established." Well, now. 

The children of God had spent time in worship declaring the goodness of God, followed by quiet  listening for directives from the Lord. They sought the Lord in the face of grave adversity and the God of their Fathers responded. They went into battle knowing He was with them. They went into battle seeing the evidence of His presence all about them. Because of the adversity, the Israelites learned to believe in the power and the faithfulness and the mercy of God.

In my times of adversity I'm learning to see the evidence that God is with me, fighting my battles, giving me courage. Do I enjoy the trials? No. But consider the reward. The Lord told Abraham that He was Abraham's exceedingly great reward. The Lord is our great reward, also. Imagine that.

Adversity opens our eyes to see and behold the One who loves us.
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Tweetables to Encourage Others

When adversity pounds at the door, & our hearts pound in our chest, heaven is ripe with the anticipation of glory. (Click to Tweet)

God said the battle is His, but His people still had to go through the adversity. (Click to Tweet)

Adversity opens our eyes to see and behold the One who loves us. (Click to Tweet)
 



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page. Your faith will be strengthened as you listen to Matthew West singing, "Strong Enough".

How Do I Find God? Sunday Glimpses

Father God, how mighty You are! How faithful! Thank You, Lord...we give You praise. It amazes me that, truly, Your love never fails. I look to the past and remember Your miraculous interventions, Your great mercies, provision, protection and I am blessed. I look to the future and know that You are the same God that was there in my past, and You will walk with me every step of the way. Praise You, Lord. Because of You, I have nothing to fear. I may not understand everything, but this I know...You are faithful to Your child. We can depend on You, lean on You, and trust You fully. Teach us to look to You, rather than our circumstances. Teach us to seek You with all of our heart, our soul, our mind and our strength. For it is in our seeking that we find You. And it is when we find You that we walk in the lessons of Your faithfulness. We love You, Lord. We worship You and give You praise.
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Tweetable to Encourage Others
Truly, Lord, Your love never fails. (Click to Tweet)

Lord, I may not understand everything, but this I know: You are faithful to Your child. (Click to Tweet)

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Do you have a need today? Would you like for me to stand with you in prayer? You may contact me directly at nan@jubilantlight.com

Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Never Alone

I snuggled beneath a quilt and watched the dawning light. Billowing clouds raced like stallions across the heavens, opening windows to a teal blue sky. Dusty rose of morning mixed with teal and frosted the base of the clouds with bronze. 

Stunning.

The bronze colored, swift moving clouds transported my thoughts to the power and majesty of God.

"The Lord has His way 

in the whirlwind and in the storm, 

and the clouds are the dust of His feet." 

~ Nahum 1:3c

I imagined Elohim, the Creator of the Universe, passing by as I began my day. His strong presence stirred up dust, bronzing the clouds, gusting the wind. Isn't that beautiful? I thought of my Jesus - God with us - and marveled that because of Him I could know the Maker of heaven and earth. Because of Him I could make my refuge in the Shadow of the Almighty.

Because of Him I would never be alone in my struggles.

Amazing, isn't it?
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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Billowing clouds raced like stallions across the heavens.(Click to Tweet)

I imagined Elohim, the Creator of the Universe, passing by as I began my day. (Click to Tweet)

Because of Jesus, I know the Maker of heaven and earth. Because of Him, I make my refuge in the Shadow of the Almighty. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page. You have got to hear this song! It's called "Alone, Yet Not Alone" by Joni Eareckson Tada. It's peaceful. Powerful. Soothing and oh, so beautiful. You're gonna love it.

Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Icy Staccoto Notes

Our temps climbed into the forties today drawing my attention to something absolutely beautiful. Something to ponder.

For days arctic air had overspread our mountains. Wisps of breath, suddenly visible in the bitter cold, fogged glasses and created miniature icicles on fur trimmed hoods. It was a time to hunker down beneath blankets with hot chocolate warming our insides. It was a time to stay by the fire and check on elderly neighbors. 

It was a very difficult time.

But today we made it into the forties.

I walked Blue past the small stream that runs on our property. For the past few days layers of ice and snow fought to hedge in the running water. Islands of white punctuated the clear water like staccato notes from a winter melody. Ice hemmed the edges with ric-rac formations. The bitter cold of winter settled on the peaceful stream giving the appearance that the water's flow had ceased.

It had not. 

Beneath winter's harsh onslaught, the mountain stream continued. Never ceasing. Always flowing. 

I could see myself in our stream. For many months we lived in a winter season of the soul. Times were hard, riddled with worry and anxiety. I often wondered if the bitter chill would succeed in hedging in the flow of the Lord's living water within me. There were times I thought I wouldn't survive the trials.

But as days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months I learned that the Living Water is not contingent on my attitude or my circumstances. My attitude may allow frozen places like staccato notes to settle in my spirit, but the Living Water remains with its life-flow beneath the surface quietly doing the work of the Father. 

Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."*

Always. I love that word. Even when circumstances would beg to differ, I have learned that God is not a man that He should lie. What He says, He does. His Spirit flows sweetly within me carving out a path for my life, carrying out His purposes for me. Always.

Today, temperatures hovered in the forties melting the icy ric-rac and snowy islands, drawing my attention to a thing of beauty, something to be pondered.

You see, today our mountain stream swelled with rushing water. What was once a quiet flow working diligently beneath the effects of winter's bitter cold now brimmed with abundance. The hard, icy places melted into the stream that never ceased to flow. They became one. They became more. Deeper. More visible.

These words now describe my faith. My hardened, icy places have melted, becoming one with the Living Water inside. His Spirit flows deeper. Richer. His Presence within me is more obvious because of the harsh winter my soul endured. As my winter passes into new beginnings I think of you, my friends, who find themselves with icy places like staccato notes abruptly interrupting the stream of Living Water within them. Be encouraged dear ones. 

Be encouraged, for even though the trials are many and the trials are fierce, the Lord is with you. His Spirit, like Living Water, flows deep carving out a path for your life, carrying out His purposes. 

Always.

*Matthew 28:20
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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Islands of white punctuated the clear water like staccato notes from a winter melody. (Click to Tweet)

My hardened, icy places have melted, becoming one with the Living Water inside. (Click to Tweet)

His Spirit, like Living Water, flows deep carving out a path for your life, carrying out His purposes. (Click to Tweet)

Be encouraged, for even though the trials are many & the trials are fierce, the Lord is with you. Always. (Click to Tweet)



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If you have received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page. I'm featuring a song titled, "Living Water" by Travis Greene. I discovered it as I worked on this post. It's one of those WOW songs, especially if you're not where you want to be with the Lord. Maybe He's been stirring in your spirit, calling your name...
 

How Can I Find God? Sunday Glimpses

Father God, Your tender mercies warm my heart with feelings of security and love. Thank You. Thank You for Your unfailing love. Open the eyes of our hearts to see the image of You holding us to Your breast, near to Your heart, cradled in blissful joy and comfort. In Your Presence is joy unspeakable. Joy comes from pressing into Your love. In Your Presence, above the fray, the effects of  circumstances cannot touch Your child. Peace is ours. Joy is ours. Safety. Provision. Fill us with a renewed sense of who You are. Awaken our hearts to worship You, to praise You - not for our circumstances, but for Your love. Thank You Father. You are an awesome God.
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Tweetables to Encourage Others

In Your Presence, above the fray, the effects of circumstances cannot touch Your child. (Click to Tweet)

Lord, awaken our hearts to praise You - not for our circumstances, but for Your love. (Click to Tweet)
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Please do not carry your burdens alone. I would be honored to pray with you. You may contact me directly at nan@jubilantlight.com