He restores my soul

He restores my soul and leads me in the path of righteousness.rEedy ration of the soul is so important. Isn't is great to know that we can stop into the service station of God for a restoration session. Any time. Any place. Any situation. For any reason. Sometimes our souls just need a tune up and other times we need to park it for a full restoration. But what is wonderful is the rejuvenation after the restoration. He restores my soul. Thank you God.

Restoration

Waking this morning with a song of gratitude and thankfulness immediately conjured up the word restoration. Restoration of the body, soul, mind and spirit are so important and imminent. I think I need to give the topic lots of thought because I am working it through in my head. I could launch into the many things I think need to be restored in my life but actually I will tell you that I feel somewhat restored because of a full nights sleep. The importance of sleep is underrated and you probably would be surprised at the effect lack of sleep has on your body, soul, mind and spirit. Today I will reap the benefits of restorative sleep in every aspect of my life and day. I will think more clearly. I will worship with a happy heart. I will listen more attentively with an alert mind. I will commune with God. More to come on this topic because I feel in my spirit it is time for the children of the King to experience restoration.

Fear does not come from God

So many live with fear and dread. They fear the unknown. They dread what may happen. Just waiting for that other shoe to drop? Surely what's just around the corner is just more bad news right? You know who you are out there. All I can say is that fear is a state of mind. Change your mind, change your reaction to the outcome. God never promised our lives would always be a bed of roses, but He did promise His love and to give us a sound mind. Don't borrow trouble. When the dreads try to overtake you and while you are holding your breath for the next bad thing to happen may I just remind you that God has not given us the spirit of fear. So if fear did not come from God, where did it come from? Fear not because He is with you. Give it over to God and ask Him to take the spirit of dread from your being. Fear not little flock because it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the keys to the kingdom. Take the keys and soar!!!

My strength is in the Lord

I have no strength except what comes from God. My strength is in and of the Lord. At my weakest points, I always know that I can and must lean on Him. But even at my mightiest heights, it is still weak in the sight of God because my strength is in the Lord. He provides and infuses me with the strength to not only survive, but also to triumph. Thank you Lord for lending me your strength.

In everything give thanks

I would like to share a suggestion made to me years ago. When you wake up each morning let your first thoughts be of the things for which you are thankful. It may feel strange at first, but believe me this will work in your favor. Before you start to concern yourself with the cares of the day, train your mind to first mentally list 10 things you are thankful for. Life. Health. Strength. Good nights sleep. The ability to walk. The ability to think. A God to serve. Your family. A place to live. Food to eat. A job to go to. Whatever comes to mind list those things in your mind with a thankful heart. If this becomes your habit, your approach to life and the start of your day will change. Try it. Commit to doing this every day for a week and you tell me. Isn't life just a little bit different and better.

Leave it at the altar

Many times we petition God for our needs using the vehicle of prayer. Many of us fret and worry, wonder and fuss, stress and get worked up, all because we don't trust God with our situation. We are so different than the next person. Our problems are unique. And evidently our God is not quite big enough or powerful enough to handle our individual situation. So instead of leaving the request at the feet of the Master, we take back the petition and decide to fix the problem ourselves. I just wonder when God asked for our help. If we believe that is He is the true and living God, we would also realize He does not need our assistance with righting the wrongs. So my suggestion? Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. He will work it out.

My hope is in the Lord

As much as I love my family and friends, I have come to understand that my hope and trust must first be in God. He does not change. He does not place you at the back of the line. You are already His priority. You are His heart. So I put my hope and trust in the Lord. He is the maker and creator of man and He mapped the plan for my future. The scripture tells us to trust thou in God and that is one of the many scriptures I can stand on. So, put your hope in the Lord first and your steps will be ordered.

Amazing Grace

Today I am so thankful for the amazing grace of God. I realize I don't deserve grace and maybe that makes this kind act of God even more sacred and special. I look back over so many events in my life and realize the results could have and maybe should have been quite different, but God's grace changed the course of time and outcomes. Grace has stepped in so many times and has allowed me to experience favor and mercy when my actions should have warranted negative experiences. Thank you God for your amazing grace. I appreciate your acts of kindness and love.

Prayer is powerful

What an amazing and powerful vehicle - prayer. the power of prayer should never be taken lightly even if you have doubts regarding your prayers being answered. This week we experienced an urgent family need and we were left with no other avenue or choice but to take the situation to God in prayer. People all over the world joined my family in prayer. I am overjoyed to report that God provided a miracle too amazing to fully comprehend. I won't go into details, but suffice it to say the medical profession is even shocked that the master plan of God surpassed all hopes and dreams. God is amazing. Thank you God for not only hearing, but answering the prayers of your people. Thank you that we know you are a healer of the body you created. Thank you that we witnessed your faithfulness. Thank you Lord for all you have done for us. We are forever grateful.

Be Grateful

An attitude of gratitude. Sometimes we all need to make the time and reflect on the many things for which we are grateful. When we have a heart of gratefulness it tends to put the happenings of life in perspective. There is an old song that says "count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done. Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done". Pull out that pen and paper or whatever electronic device you may use and list out your blessings, the things you are grateful for and things for which you are thankful. If you woke each morning and made it a practice to list your blessings and start your day with a heart of gratefulness you will see a change in the way your day will go. Before you worry about the cares of life or go over your to do list or dwell on what may go wrong, fill your heart and mind with thoughts of what you are grateful for and your blessings. This could be contagious.

Searching for the reason

I know there are some who teach that we should not ask God why. I find that asking why helps me to better focus my prayers. I don't question disrespectfully, but I do ask for a better understanding so that if there is a way I can help either by word or deed, I can help in a more concerted or focused way. Today I find myself with sad family news realizing the only way I could possibly help is through interceding in prayer. I do not possess the knowledge nor skill to bring tangible help or a solution to the table, so I will pray. Prayer is the equalizer, the vehicle we all have access to to get us from point to point. It is in times like these that we as humans feel most helpless, but it is also the time when we must understand that our help comes from the Lord, the maker and creator of the universe, the redeemer of our souls. So I will pray and request God's intervening power in what others may view as impossible, yet VERY possible with God. I will look to the hills from whence cometh my help. Our help comes from the Lord.

Chosen

Before the foundation of the world we were chosen by the King to be His child. We were set apart to excel in His kingdom. I feel especially blessed because I realize that my being chosen has helped me understand the responsibility I have to further the message of the goodness that is out there for those who choose to walk in the path designated by God. Just as God chose us, we choose God or not. I choose to open my heart, mind, body and soul to my creator. I choose to listen to the voice. I choose God partly because He chose me first, but also because I want to be one of the vessels He uses to further His kingdom. I am chosen. You are chosen. Will you answer the call and walk in the path that God has placed before you?

Our Hearts Uplifted

Why did I name this blog Our Hearts Uplifted? Because everyone, every now and again needs an encouraging word and a lifting of their hearts. I have experienced in my life crossing the path of the right person at the right time who spoke a word of uplifting. And I believe with my whole heart that divine authority placed us on the path to meet and exchange a word of encouragement. Our hearts need to be uplifted because in that uplifted state we are most able to assist others along this journey. I will be forever grateful to those known and unknown who have been a tool to uplift my soul and spirit. I am a chosen child of the King. And I want to uplift the hearts of those with whom I come in contact.

Perfect Peace

God will keep you in perfect peace if you keep your mind stayed on Him. That is one of those scriptures with promise. Or from our elementary school English days it's an "if/then" statement. Perfect peace. I have to admit that every day in my life is certainly not filled with perfect peace, but when I give my mind over to Christ, He does provide the peace. Today is a tough day for my youngest brother. He is conducting the funeral services for his mother in law, a great woman in Christ who passed from this life earlier in the week (see my post on life is precious). This is a difficult time for the family. While we know she is in a place of 24/7 worship of the King, we as humans also feel the loss of a loved one, friend, confidante, and warrior for the kingdom. But the perfect peace of God comes into being at just this time. Since we have a promise from God of peace, we can stand on His word and let Him order our steps while bringing comfort. Great peace have they who love His word and nothing shall offend them - Psalms. Walk in God's peace. It's a promise He left His children.

Legacy continued

Have you given more thought to the topic of your legacy? Have you thought about the influence you have in another person's life? God placed us on this earth to fulfill a purpose. I believe we should take that commission seriously and spread positiveness for the good of everyone with whom we come in contact. Wouldn't it be a blessing to your walk with Christ when others are able to say that their lives were changed for the good because of their interaction with you. So please give some serious thought to your legacy, the influence you have on those who cross your path. Do people think of you as a blessing, one who is an encourager? Do you exhort others to do good and climb to their greatest potential? Is your legacy teaching others to seek wise counsel? Will others be able to say you assisted in their walk with Christ. Do me a favor. Give this some thought and be prepared to strengthen the legacy you leave behind.

What is the legacy you will leave behind

Or if you want it put another way - what will you be known for? The topic of legacy has been with me for well over a year now and I have had various opportunities to share my opinion on the subject. I think our legacy is extremely important. Some people get a bit too caught up in what will they leave their children in terms of the tangible. I am way more concerned about the example we set for anyone who crosses our paths -family, friends, acquaintances or complete strangers. Are you willing to pour into the lives of others what God has freely given to you? My mother, grandmother snd aunts left me the legacy of the power of prayer. I have many memories of actual prayers, sharing their stories of the power of prayer snd watching the magnificent manifestation of their prayers. My mom didn't have money to leave me, but the example she set as a prayer warrior and elegant woman is much more meaningful in my life. Some other post, I will share more stories of my mom and amazing grandmother, but let's just say that I came by my personality and traits honestly. And anyone who knows me, knows that my dad, the reason why I will to this day and age continue to proudly call myself a PK, was a force to be reckoned with. He had great articulation abilities and he shared his love of oration with his offspring. The legacy my forefathers left me is impossible to comprehensively list out, but take my word for it, they equipped me for life, they prepared me for my journey with Christ and they instilled in me a desire to reach high. Their legacies live on in multiple generations and not all of those influenced were of the same gene pool. So give it some thought until I return to this topic. What is the legacy you will leave behind?

God will keep you IF you want to be kept

An amazing memory was brought back to the forefront of my mind that night. Some may not fully understand the sentiments or true meaning behind the topic, but this I know for sure - "God will keep you IF you want to be kept". I am grateful that the God we serve has always been a God of choices. He does not make us do anything - serve Him, worship Him, follow Him, appreciate Him, love Him. But God is a keeper of those who desire Him to play that role in their lives. He will keep your heart in check. He will keep your mind at peace. He will keep your thoughts on Him and the list goes on, fill in the blanks. The God of choices allows us to follow our own direction if we so choose, but His hope is that we will allow God the role of head of our life, the one in control, the one executing the master plan for your very existence. God is the keeper of our souls, our lives, our destinies. but God will never force us to follow Him. God will never force us to give our lives and hearts over to Him. But I know without a shadow of a doubt that God will keep you IF you want to be kept. I want to be kept by God.

Our source of strength

Let's just be honest. Sometimes we just get tired. Sometimes we are weary. Whether you are physically, emotionally and/or spiritually drained, the hope is that we will see God as our source of strength. The scriptures tell us that our steps are ordered by the Almighty God. What comfort that should bring us. God knows when we reach that point of not knowing what to do or where to turn. But if you would just keep in mind that God is your source of life, health and strength you can continue down the path and gain energy as you place your trust in God. Our single source and first choice for strength is God. Lean on Him and let God do the heavy lifting.

Life is precious

Life is precious. Death in Christ is more precious "Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints.". Psalms 116:15 Death of a loved one is so often one of the most difficult events of our existence. but somehow in Christ we make it through and continue to see God's plan unfold. Today we lost one of God's chosen. She may not be with us on this side of the earth, but I know she is rejoicing with the heavenly hosts that she will no longer experience the pain that was in this life. Sadness may engulf those left behind, but we rest in the fact that there is a better place for the children of God. I marveled on yesterday as members of my extended family returned back to the home of the woman who was so much a part of our lives and the start of my dad's journey as a leader of a flock. Before we had a building to gather in, we had homes that we went to for teaching, study and powerful prayer. She opened her doors to a growing congregation. And on yesterday part of those who had been there from the beginning had the opportunity to gather one last time to sing praises, share the goodness of God and pray those soul reaching prayers that touched the marrow of your bones. And after that final act of lifting up the mighty name of Jesus, God called His child home. Lord, thank you for bringing this wonderful woman into our lives and lending her to us so that we could grow in your power and in your might. Thank you Lord for what your seasoned saints have taught us - to love the Lord with all our hearts, to be true to you, to follow your teachings even during the most adverse times and the power of prayer. My heart rejoices that the "Gladys' are both in heaven rejoicing together". Mother Jones, take your rest.

Be Still

Be still and know that I am God. In the quiet, in the still, God will make His prescense known. He was waiting for you to communicate with Him as you went down your to do list for the day. But there never quite seemed to be enough time in your hectic, list induced day. So I want to encourage you to be still and know that He is God. He is the maker and creator of this universe and it's inhabitants. God is almighty, all powerful, all knowing. And he has a message for you if you would just be still and know that He is God. Not a god. Not one of many. But know that He is THE one. In the stillness there is direction. In the stillness there is peace. In the stillness there is the one who cares for your soul and well being. Be still and know without a shadow of a doubt that He is the one true and living God, there to guide you every step of the way. Be still.

Let it Rain

I hear Michael W Smith singing in my head "let it rain, let it rain. Open the flood gates of heaven". The physical rain is falling but isn't it time for a saturation of God's rain in your life? Do you ever long for an encounter with God that leaves your soul soaked, your mind renewed and your spirit completely free? My dad used to preach about being so caught up in the spirit of God that you felt like running through troops and leaping over walls. Now that is an encounter with God like none other. I believe it's time for the children of the King to ask our heavenly Father for a soaking of His spiritual rain so that we can be washed, clean and refreshed. God, open the flood gates of heaven, not so we can gain more "things" but so we can be the giants you called us to be. We are a chosen people, a royal generation filled with power, might and the authority to call upon the name of the Lord our God for help in time of need. Be blessed because that is what God wants for you.

Did God hear my prayer

So many prayers prayed. Not all of them appear to get answered. But are they really not answered? Did God turn a deaf ear? The answer is a resounding no. We may not ever understand why there is not an immediate and tangible response to our prayers, but that does not mean they have gone unanswered. Maybe, just maybe during those times we are waiting and wondering, God too is waiting and wondering. Waiting for our faith to gain strength. Wondering if we are ready to listen to what He has to say. He heard your prayer. He knows your heart. He feels your pain. He has a plan. He is the answer. God will never leave you. He would never forsake you. Just wait a little while longer as He unfolds His master plan for your life. He is the way.

Just Stand

I always heard people quote part of the scripture "having done all to stand..." but I started to give this a bit more thought. Standing for long periods of time is tiring and not always possible. Sometimes you just want to sit and rest. Sometimes you can't stand due to physical limitations. But when you think in the spiritual, you must realize that God is your strength and gives you, His child, the ability to stand unwavering when everyone around you is sitting or given up. Stand up for what you believe. Stand up when no one around you supports you. Stand up because you are obedient to the call. Stand up when you don't see the reason for standing. Stand up, stand tall, stand strong, stand still, stand. Having done all to stand, just stand.

Put your trust in Him

Psalms chapter 20. I can not get away from the thought about trusting God. Read the entire chapter. It's great. But verse 7 is really sticking in my head. "Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.". Trust God to set your path and fulfill your dreams for the future. Trust God to right the wrong. Trust in the name of the Lord to put your mind as ease as you rest in his arms. Trust Him to do the right thing by you. Trust Him.

In God We Trust

Such a powerful statement and worth taking a moment to really understand it's significance. Who do you put your trust in? Given the uncertainty we all experience in our lives, the one constant is God. He is not only looking for your belief, but He is asking for your whole hearted, unwavering trust. God has the solution and a perfect plan for your life. Will you trust Him to do what He does best? In God I trust, even when I do not see the path or understand the direction. In God I MUST trust. He holds my destiny.