My Journey Through The Dark Valley-Day 44

Posted on by pastorevanaolcom

Monday, June 10th

Day 44

Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt;

and serve the Lord.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord,

choose you this day whom you will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the Lord.

Joshus 24:14-15

Lord, I choose YOU – or rather – I respond positively to Your choosing me – almost 60 years ago.

I have never regretted that choice.

You have brought me through some difficult days’

I trust that You will bring me through this.

You can never give another person that which you have found,

but you can make him homesick for what you have.

-Oswald Chambers

Lord, my prayer is that others would see Jesus in me.

I pray that they would experience the Shalom – Shalvah of a relationship with You.

May they read the words I write and have a hunger to know You and to serve You.

Use me Father God, for Your glory.

I did not choose this path but I accept this path knowing that You walk it with me.

My Journey Through The Dark Valley – Day 43

Posted on by pastorevanaolcom

Sunday June 9th

Day 43

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Lord,

Today has been difficult.

I spent yesterday working in the garden.

There was a nice breeze and I did not take into account the power of the sun.

I forgot the sunscreen and I am paying the price with a bad sunburn.

My body is feeling the pain.

My spirit is feeling low since I missed the worship service this morning.

BUT:

I am reminded that my joy does not depend on my circumstances.

My joy is in YOU.

My Journey Through The Dark Valley – Day 42

Posted on by pastorevanaolcom

June 8th

Day 42

Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

and patience, experience;

and experience, hope;

and hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.

Romans 5:1-5

Life is a great mixture of happiness and tragic storm.

He who comes out of it rich in living,

is he who dares to accept it all,

face it all,

and let it blow its power, mystery and tragedy

into the inmost recesses of the soul.

A victory so won in this life will then be an eternal possession.

-Charles Lewis Stanley

Springs In The Valley

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:

And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

I John 5:4

Faith can change any situation.

No matter how dark it is,

no matter what the trouble may be,

a quick lifting of the heart to God in a moment of real, actual faith in Him,

will alter the situation in a moment.

God is still on His throne,

and He can turn defeat into victory in a second of time,

if we really trust Him.

-Streams In the Desert

Father God, I thank Thee for this day.

I thank You for the garden – for the opportunity to get my hands in the soil – to watch the plants grow and produce food for us to eat.

I thank You for the chickens – something to care for – a reason to get up and get on with the day.

I thank You for this job – it is from You – and it is what I need to make me leave the house and interact with people. When I’m reconciling a bank statement it takes all my concentration and I don’t think about my situation.

I thank You for friends and neighbors – people who care.

I thank You for this family that You gave me.

I am so blessed.

Yes – I hurt.

I opened myself up to the hurt when I chose to love.

It was worth it – for the good far outweighs the bad.

So I praise You, Lord!

Love is a risk I will take every time, for the rewards are great!

My Journey Through The Dark Valley – Day 41

Posted on by pastorevanaolcom

June 7th

Day 41

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God:

for unto Thee will I pray.

My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord;

in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.

Psalm 5:1-3

Thank You Lord, for the psalms. I am learning to appreciate them more and more every day.

But this I say,

He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;

and he which soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully.

I Corinthians 9:6

Lord, I have certainly “reaped bountifully” with all the love and support that I have received – BEYOND MEASURE!

I thank You for Your blessings on me – for Your continued presence in my life – for Your guidance every day – for Your abundant provision.

You are my Shalom  – Shalvah!

But none saith,

Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

Job 35:10

Lord, I can testify – You give songs in the night!

Just what I need.

Just when I need it.

You bring it to my mind and I awake with a song on my heart.

All those hours sitting at that old upright piano, picking out the notes of all the old hymns in that Methodist Hymnal, planting the words deep in my soul, to have them rise to the occasion when they were sorely needed.

Thank You, God!