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Tag: Faithfulness

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Psalm 138| Faithfulness

This is from my blog post from May 4, 2020.

Hey friends! Thanks for joining me today. I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I was happy to get some flowers and some herbs for our patio! 

Something else that was fun… My daughter’s future mother-in-law and I hosted a Pampered Chef virtual bridal shower with Mariah and Zack this weekend. The consultant had us gather yesterday for a Zoom call with her bridal party, family, and friends to celebrate them since we were not able to do a traditional shower. 

So Today, I will be reading  Psalm 138 from The Message. 

“Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!”
    Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
    and say it again: “Thank you!”
Thank you for your love,
    thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
    most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
    you made my life large with strength.

When they hear what you have to say, God,
    all earth’s kings will say “Thank you.”
They’ll sing of what you’ve done:
    “How great the glory of God!”
And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below;
    no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.

When I walk into the thick of trouble,
    keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand
    strike my foes,
With your other hand
    save me.
Finish what you started in me, God.
    Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now.”

Psalm 138

This passage takes me back to last fall, 2019.  I was in a season where God was asking me to surrender my position as the Children’s Pastor at Salem. He made it clear to me in July that I was to step away at the end of the year. Now, I am stubborn and I am a planner. I knew our daughter was getting engaged and would probably have a summer wedding. SO financially speaking, I thought June made more sense! In October God made it very clear… he spoke to me and “Do you trust me, Paula?” You guys… He asked me 3 times! Well, as most of you know. I did leave my position at Salem on December 31. 

The Lord has had me on a journey these past few years. He has shown me that slowing down, being still, and listening for his voice is so essential in my growth as a Christ-follower – especially in our busy culture.   I think that is why I love the passage so much that I shared last week from Jeremiah … “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.” God continues to grow my roots along the riverbank – I am a continual work in process! 

I guess I am sharing all of this because I know some of you need some encouragement today. I know you are weary.  Friends, God is faithful – He has a plan for your life.  God loves you. God sees you. God hears your prayers. Continue to praise him through your trials… He is not going to give up on you! 

Thanks so much for listening! Let’s go to God in prayer… 

Oh precious Heavenly Father, Thank you for being with us this day. Thank you for giving us the strength to continue to navigate these trying days and thank you for hearing our hearts. 

Today, I pray you will be with everyone who is listening to the sound of my voice. I pray you will wrap your arms around them. I pray you will hold them close and allow them to feel your presence. 

Heavenly Father, 

  • I pray for parents and children as they are wrapping up their school year. 
  • I pray for the high school and college grads who aren’t able to be celebrated    
  • I pray for our state and national leaders as they implement the plan to open our states back up. 
  • I pray for those who are on the front lines: first responders, doctors and nurses, people responsible for cleaning the hospitals and nursing home facilities. 
  • I pray for all those who have lost jobs. I pray for those going back to work today, that you will bless them and encourage them. 
  • I pray for family members experiencing health crises right now. 

Oh Father, thank you for the privilege to come to you in prayer. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today – you are loved! 

Have a blessed day! 

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Lamentations 3:22-24 | Great is Thy Faithfulness

This is from my April 23 Facebook Live

Today is April 23rd. I am a little sad. Prior to Coronavirus interrupting everything, I was to be on a plane flying down to visit our daughter. She is getting married in June. This weekend was to be her wedding shower. I was going to help her move into their new apartment and get settled. It’s ok. I know it will all work out. Right now, her wedding is scheduled for mid-June and the wedding venue anticipates everything will be back on schedule. I am thankful for God’s faithfulness.

I’ll be reading from Lamentations 3:22-24.  If you have your Bibles, read along with me. I’m reading from the New Living Translation.

“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.  I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”

Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT

Our nation has been going through some very dark days these past two months.  Tragically, there have been thousands who have lost their lives and millions who have lost jobs. Nearly everyone in our country has been affected somehow.  

The whole book of Lamentations is a lament – a passionate expression of grief or sorrow. Jeremiah was in a very dark place when he wrote the book of Lamentations. He was grieving because of the destruction of Jerusalem and the devastation of his nation. 

In chapter 3, Jeremiah turns a corner – He sees a ray of hope. He sees that even in the midst of sin and suffering surrounding him, that God’s love never ends and that the Lord’s mercy was new every day. Jeremiah knew that God would keep his promise of restoration and blessing. 

We can have hope in the midst of this pandemic just as Jeremiah had hope in the midst of his affliction. We can trust in God’s faithfulness each day.

Did you know the hymn “Great is thy Faithfulness” was written from
Lamentations 3:23. I don’t sing, but I thought I would read through the lyrics….

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

Great is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas Chisholm (Public Domain)

I have so many memories of singing this hymn over the years – It is one of my favorites!  

Thanks for hanging out with me today! I’ll close in prayer… 

Will you pray with me? 

Oh precious Heavenly Father, Thank you for being with us this day. Thank you for your faithfulness and your new mercy day by day. God, I pray you will bless my friends and family who are watching today. I pray they will see how your faithful love endures forever! 

Oh Lord, bless our nation. Bless the leaders who will be unfolding the reopening plans. Bless each healthcare worker, first responder, nursing home caregivers. 

Bless all the pastors who are navigating what their new normal will be for their congregations. 

Oh Father, thank you for the privilege to come to you in prayer. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today! 

I hope you know that you are loved!