Finding God's Presence ~ Mercy, Goodness, and All Things Darkness

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

Gravel crunched beneath my feet as I walked with my face to the afternoon sun. A thought kept circling through my mind: surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. It dropped out of nowhere, so I knew to pay attention. I knew in my spirit the Lord wanted to teach me something. So on I walked, pondering His words.

The sun was a bright shining beacon before me. I was vastly aware of its light. Then I became aware of the shadow it produced - the shadow of myself following every move I made. If I stepped left, the shadow followed. To the right, the shadow was right there. Even when I stood still, the shadow remained because of the light of the sun.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...

• The Lord Himself is good.

• Mercy is His steadfast, unfailing love - the love born of covenant. 

• The idea of following is to pursue, to follow after.

So, the Lord Himself, with His unfailing love, pursues me all the days of my life, just as He pursues you. He is with us on the mountaintops and He is with us through the deepest valleys. The darkest of dark. The vilest of vile. He is with us.

                                 "For You are my lamp, O Lord; 
                         The Lord shall enlighten

my darkness 

                                        ~ 2 Samuel 22:29

What a beautiful thought: Even in the darkness, there is light. 

The Light of His presence. 
The Light of His goodness. 
The Light of His love.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Selah.
 
Tweetables to Encourage Others
Where is God in my darkness? @NanJonesAuthor helps you find Him. (Click to Tweet)

How does God light up my darkness? @NanJonesAuthor offers insight. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page for a special treat. Do you remember the song, "Surely Goodness & Mercy Shall Follow Me" that was popular in the 70s and 80s? Well this is a reggae version!! The singer is Israel Houghton. I think you'll love it.

Where Is God? Sunday Glimpses

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

Father God, You are so good, You are so faithful to all generations. Your holiness astounds me. Your might, coupled with Your great love, makes me feel safe and at peace. I trust You Lord. Even when I detest my circumstances, I trust You because You are good and because You love me. 

Thank You for teaching me to focus on You - to see You - instead of the mountain before me. But also, I'm so appreciative You are teaching me that the mountain looming ahead leads me to You. So, even when the way is hard, even when the path is steep and covered with stones, the path leads me to Your throne on high, when and if I embrace You in my pain. Thank You for such insight, Lord. I love Your mercy. 

I pray for my friends who are stumbling on the rocky, steep path. Open their eyes to see You with them. Help them feel the touch of Your hand on theirs guiding, protecting, and catching them when they fall. Teach us all to keep our minds stayed on You, Lord and not on our circumstances, not just in righteous rhetoric, but in actuality - to really discipline our mind and thoughts to remain on You. You are teaching me that this is a key to survival when the fire is hot and the torments of the enemy are relentless. 

Yes, Lord, You are the Mighty God, the Maker of heaven and earth, and yet You know me by name. Thank You for Your great love and for Your strength when I am oh so weak. You are precious Lord. I love You with all that I am.

Tweetables to Encourage Others

Where is God when life overwhelms? @NanJonesAuthor offers insight. (Click to Tweet)

Lord, You are the Mighty God, the Maker of heaven & earth, & yet You know me by name. (Click to Tweet)

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

Finding God's Presence ~ Healing Comes in the Giving

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

Hot water showered down across my naked body, my raped soul. Anguish deeper than the deepest pit ravished me. Consumed me. Betrayal had carved a cavernous hole in my heart that only the Lord could fill...if I would let Him.

Salty tears dripped into my mouth with each miserable cry. How could I go on? How could I possibly walk in the path the Lord has called me to - the one of helping Christian women struggling with their faith because life is so hard? 

Ironic, isn't it?

Deep inside me, the Lord whispered, Healing comes in the giving.

"What? I have nothing left to give, Lord. I am depleted, struggling to survive."

Again He spoke, Healing comes in the giving.

His tender words swirled through my mind as I watched the soapy water empty from the tub. I carried them with me in thought as I dressed, grabbed my coffee, and curled up in my rocking chair.

You're not going to believe what happened next!

I opened the pages of my devotional, Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman and (are you ready for this?) today's devotional began with Psalm 138:8, "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me." I just about dropped the book.

It went on to say, "There is a divine mystery in suffering, one that has a strange and supernatural power and has never been completely understood by human reason. No one has ever developed a deep level of spirituality or holiness without experiencing a great deal of suffering ... when the suffering has accomplished its blessed ministry ... the pain of the crucifixion has begun to weave itself into a crown...It is in this experience of complete suffering that the Holy Spirit works many miraculous things deep within our soul. In this condition, our entire being lies perfectly still under the hand of God; every power and ability of the mind, will, and heart are at last submissive; a quietness of eternity settles into the entire soul..." (p. 344-345)

Isn't that powerful?

Am I enjoying this season of suffering and turmoil? No. But is the Lord revealing Himself to me through it all? Is He reminding me of His eternal purposes? Yes! As much as I detest the evil that has invaded my home, I know in my knower that the Lord will take the pain and weave it into a miraculous crown for my good and for His glory.

Simply amazing.

I determined today that I will pursue the calling on my life. I will continue to give of myself to help others, and on the days that I desire to remain sobbing while in a fetal position on the floor, I will remember that healing comes in the giving.

Sweet friend, I want the same for you. If God is for us (and He is), then who can be against us? If God is with us (and He is) then we will never walk alone. You are loved by a magnificent God who shelters His child in the midst of the fiercest storms.

He wants to weave your pain into a glorious crown too. Will you offer your pain - your life - to Him? 

Healing comes in the giving.

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, 

You will revive me; 

You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, 

and Your right hand will save me. 

The Lord will fulfill 

that which concerns me..." 

~ Psalm 138:7-8

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A Tweetable to Encourage Others

Where is God in your suffering? @NanJonesAuthor offers encouragement. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page, especially if this post resonated with you. I'm featuring Twila Paris singing "I Will Listen." Oh. My. Goodness. I think Twila wrote this song for such a time as this in my life. Maybe yours too.

Finding God's Presence ~ Rest In His Steadfast Love

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

I felt the Lord's gentle nudging as I watched the sunrise from the comfort of my porch swing. Another sleepless night had led me to the humble sanctuary - a place of refuge from my troubled thoughts. 

Tangerine currents of His faithfulness flowed through the indigo sky, lighting up diamonds of morning dew throughout the earth. I realized that I expected to watch the sun come up over the mountain ridge. I didn't doubt it for a minute. Never had. The symphony of color always soothed me and reminded me that He is God and I am...well, I am just Nan. 

I found myself lost in the moment.

This is how My love is for you, Nan. Indeed, for all of My children. It is steadfast. Never-changing. You can find rest in the assurance that nothing will ever separate you from My love. Just like the sunrise, My mercies for you are new every morning. Without fail. I will never leave you, nor forsake you. I will carry you through this fierce storm with beauty and grace, with surety and safety. Rest in My steadfast love.

I need this certainty in my life right now. I don't know what to do with circumstances that are sucking the very life out of me. But this I know: If God be for me, who can be against me?

Yes! Sweet friend, if God be for you, who can be against you?

You too, are loved by a merciful, magnificent God. His love is steadfast. Enduring. Stubborn. Relentless. His mercies are new every morning. I promise. Just as the sun comes up over the mountain ridge and the dew refreshes the earth, so His love for us is unwavering. 

The Lord our God is faithful to His children.

 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear [reverence] Him,
    on those whose hope is in His unfailing love,

 to deliver them from death
    and keep them alive in famine.

 We wait in hope for the Lord;

He is our help and our shield 

In Him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in His holy name.

May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord

 even as we put our hope in You. 

~ Psalm 33:18-22, NIV

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Where is God in my chaos? @NanJonesAuthor shares from her life. (Click to Tweet)

The symphony of color reminded me that He is God & I am...well, I am just Nan.(Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page to spend a few minutes allowing the Lord to reassure you with Steven Curtis Chapman singing, "Be Still and Know."

Where Is God? Sunday Glimpses

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

Lord, no matter my circumstances, You remain. Ever-present. Constant. Faithful. How can I thank You enough for that? You are my sure place, my strong tower where I can run and be safe. Your unconditional love keeps me strong. I want to glorify You, Lord. I want my life to speak of Your grace. Use me, Lord. Melt me. Mold me. I want to be pliable in Your hands that I might become a vessel for Your glory. You are wonderful Lord,  and I praise Your holy Name. 

Many are the afflictions of Your children. Many are searching to find You in their midst. Many seek to ward of thoughts of abandonment and neglect by You. Lord, for these my friends, I ask that You open their ears to hear Your sweet whispers of affirmation. Awaken their hearts to understand that those thoughts of abandonment are contrary to Your Word and are therefore only taunts of the enemy. You will never leave Your child. You will never forsake them. You are drawn to our pain like a magnet, holding us near, surrounding us with Your protective shield. Reassure my friends of Your constant and abiding love. You are Wonderful. Counselor. The Mighty God. The Prince of Peace. For this, I am thankful. I rest in the knowledge of Your love. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Tweetables to Encourage Others

Where is God when I'm broken? @NanJonesAuthor offers personal insight. (Click to Tweet)

Do you feel abandoned by God? Maybe this will help. (Click to Tweet)

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

Finding God's Presence ~ Out Of The Whirlwind

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

Blue and I rounded a curve across from the meadow. Queen Anne's Lace and blue chicory dotted the field with God's abundant grace. A cold front was pushing towards our mountains from the north, bringing with it a stiff breeze, refreshing me with cool air from the hand of my Father.

Blue searched for critters whose scent wafted through the tall grass and wandered on the breeze. Patches of hay and dust lay across the country road, marking the frequent travels of area farmers. I was aware of the Lord's Presence - His sweet aroma, His warm embrace surrounding my troubled heart.

A brisk wind came from behind, stirring the grass and wildflowers along the road. I paused and watched. Several feet in front of me, a whirlwind formed. It scooped up the dust and hay. Dried pine needles joined in, swirling in its circular motion.

In the midst of my troubled thoughts the Lord reminded me of Job.

Job had been presenting his case - his arguments - before God. In Job 29:1-2, Job said, "Oh, that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me; When His lamp shone upon my head and when by His light I walked through darkness."

I had been doing the same thing: "Oh, that I could hit rewind and make this horrid attack on my marriage go away! Oh that my marriage could bask in the favor and blessing of the Lord once again."

In this passage and the verses that followed, Job was basically having a pity-party. His focus was on things lost, rather than the steady, constant, sovereign Presence of His God.

That's what I was doing.

"Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

"'Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurement? Surely you know! ... Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

"'Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb ... when I fixed My limit for it ... when I said, 'This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop! ... Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place ... Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that an abundance of water may cover you? Can you send out lightnings, that they may go, and say to you, "Here we are!"? Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?'" *

Yes, He is sovereign! Absolute. Majestic. Authoritative. King.

And He is El Roi, the God who sees me and knows all about it.

Just as the Lord reminded Job that nothing comes his way without first passing by the throne of grace, so He reminded me. The Lord is not blind to my anguish. He is not calloused towards my broken heart. His hands are not bound leaving me powerless. No, He is with me, fighting my battles for me, working everything together for my good.

And you know what else? God is no respecter of persons. What He is doing for me, He will do for you. 

The stiff breeze died down and along with it the whirlwind ceased its spinning. Dust settled back onto the pavement, but the lesson lingered. Like my thoughts, the pine needles and hay found a new place to rest.

My God is with me and He is in control.

*Job 38 

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Are you in a whirlwind? Maybe God is speaking. (Click to Tweet)

Do you question God's sovereignty over your circumstances? Maybe @NanJonesAuthor can help. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page. I found a great song. It's "Every Good Gift" sung by Clayton Brooks, Worship Pastor of The Oaks Fellowship in Red Oak, Texas. I think you'll absolutely love it!

Finding God's Presence ~The Rush of Living Water

by Nan Jones  @NanJonesAuthor

I stood at the kitchen sink washing dishes. The suds billowed, and the water streamed, reflecting the tears flowing freely down my cheeks. My tears had been bottled up for so long, I just couldn't seem to control them any longer. I was tired. Weary. Worn.

From deep inside I heard His quiet whisper, Come to Me, Nan.

Well, being the godly woman that I am I squared my jaw, stuck out my bottom lip and scrubbed those dishes even harder! My shoulders shook with sobs. I was angry with the Lord, disappointed that He had allowed us to be unemployed for three years. We were down to $19. We had just applied for emergency food stamps, sold our college rings...it was awful. I couldn't even buy my wrinkle cream. Now, that was a crisis!

In His tenderness, the Lord spoke to me again, Come to Me, Nan, and rest.

This time I listened.

"I'm coming, Lord." 

I dried my hands and shuffled to my study. There I knelt by the loveseat and began to cry...and cry...and cry.

Give it to me, Nan. All of it. Your heart has grown stagnant with debris that is blocking my Living Water from flowing. I want to heal you and repair the broken places, but there's no room for Me until you empty your heart of the stagnant water.

That unleashed the dam. 

My cries became gut-wrenching - groans too deep for words. I offered the embarrassment of food stamps, the frustration of no jobs. The fear and doubt of paying the electric bill and keeping a roof over our heads. I dug deep and poured out the pain from various places of ministry, my brother's suicide and daddy's death. Debris from years earlier surfaced and I offered its pain to Him.

At last, the dirty, stagnant water in my heart was gone.

Exhaustion crept in as I sat quietly before the Lord. Broken pieces lay in my heart, but they were no longer covered with stagnant water...they were now exposed the the Lord. 

I want you to praise Me, Nan. Don't praise me for your circumstances. Praise Me for who I am. Your praise will turn the valve that releases my Living Water. It will flow freely through you and bring you healing and hope and peace.

I began slowly, but surely.

"I love You, Lord. You are my Rock and my Redeemer. You are the Mighty God who set me free. My Deliverer and Friend."

I felt the rush of Living Water deep in my spirit.

"You are my strong tower. I run to You and find safety. You are Jehovah-jireh, my provider. You are Jehovah-rapha, my healer. You are El Roi, the God who sees me and knows all about it. I lift Your name on high, Lord. You alone are worthy of my praise."

The weight lifted. The healing balm of Gilead surrounded my broken places. His peace blanketed me with His love.

Jesus said, 
"Come unto Me, all of you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." 
~ Matthew 11:28.

But when He bids us come it requires action. It requires a response, "Yes, Lord. I'm coming."

The Lord would say to you, "Sweet child of Mine, come unto Me and I will give you rest."

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Are you broken? I trust this might help you. (Click to Tweet)

"There's no room for Me until you empty your heart of the stagnant water." @NanJonesAuthor shares hope. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page. I'm featuring Chris Rice singing "Come to Jesus." What a simply beautiful song!