****The Prayer of Psalm 23****

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.6
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

I never understood why this Psalm is related with death and funerals for the most part. It is about steadfastness, faith, love, God's Promise to want an abundant life for His children, and how no matter what we will face in this world, He will remain by our side and that we will be with Him forever.

It is so vital that we remember our loving Father wanted to make things simple and plain, so that a child or an adult knew how He felt about something, what He expected from us, what He wanted for us, He had it all written down, so that we could get to know Him, and how much He loves us.

That is why I find in the King James Version (verse 4) "though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death," is used, so that many Christians tend to believe this prayer is about our crossing over into our new life, and not about God being present with us while we are here.

This version, NIV uses
verse 4; " As walk through the darkest Valley," which is why I chose this, as the Father said to us since Adam, we will all die in this body, but He wanted to remind us through David, that yes, this body will die, but He will be with us on this earth until we go home wearing our eternal bodies, but until than, we have no reason to fear. Fear is not of God, when you are an obedient child.

This Psalm is NOT a somber but joyful Psalm, filled with hope, faith, promises, support, and Eternity with the Father. I pray we remember this week, when we face difficult decisions, that if God wills it, He works it, and therefore there is no room for fear, that is a deception of the enemy.

May we all have a week full of God's light , love, and wisdom. Remembering He said we are the "Salt and the Light" as we are taught in:

 Matthew 5:13-16 New International Version (NIV) Salt and Light
¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

May we feel our Fathers loving embrace, and find strength in our prayers, and the prayers of all His Saints, in Jesus Blood and name we lift this and all petitions up, amen.

I hope the below poem from my upcoming devotional "Poems of the Eternal Heart a Daily Devotional" inspires our week..... <3

Plain and Simple

God wants us all to understand
that it's love He wants and gives, not fear,
for the Grace He gave, and the price He paid
should make that crystal clear,

For to be a Father and a friend
it's important we share all of our heart,
with a basis of truth our foundation is strong
and than goodness can play it's part.

it's not about works, or mistakes we've made
but believing our debts paid in full,
that the fear, deception, and lies we're fed,
are absolutely the deceivers bull.

because Jesus arose and won the war
and the devil's out of time,
before he knows it the day will come
when  he'll pay eternally for his crimes.

So let us go out my siblings
with our salt and light on hand,
 that those who are lost
will see His light take their final stand...
Patricia VanDenburg
7/13/14

***God Always Has His Reasons***

Happy Sunday Everyone,

God has very good reason for allowing His children to suffer, but He is with us through all of the pain, heartache, and sorrow, no matter what our circumstance, when we respond as a child of God, we are not somber but Joyful as in:
2 Corinthians 4:8-12New International Version (NIV)

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18New International Version (NIV)
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

and than we have this to look forward to in:
2 Corinthians 2:14New International Version (NIV)

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

So no matter how long we suffer, it is temporary, for if we compare it to the back drop of eternity, it is but a second, Paul fills my Heart with hope. May these scriptures fill you're hearts with hope today, no matter what we are all going through, I am so grateful to know we will know one another for eternity, hugs and love.

May the below poem from my upcoming devotional, "Poems of The Eternal Heart a Daily Devotional" inspire you're week, and may we all continue to feel the loving embrace of our Father in Jesus Blood and name amen

The Power of A Single Prayer

 

All throughout the Bible

our Father made it known,

Who stood right beside us

and is now seated on the throne,

 

He made us many promises

in which none did He say,

that the Christian life would be easy

or pain-free in any way.

 

In fact, it's quite the opposite

for those who love to boast,

about the power, love, and caring Father

Whom they glorify the most.

 

It makes the enemy angry,

so he sends his army out,

to attack the obedient children

where he manipulates with doubt.

 

for the power in a single prayer,

can convert darkness into light,

out of all the things he's up against

it is prayer that causes fright.

 

For he knows his days are numbered

till his world will no longer be,

so his demons are on overtime

to try and rob the souls now free.

 

But our Father did make a promise

that keeps our mind at ease,

not even death can keep us from Him,

and why we fight, while on our knees.

 

Patricia VanDenburg

7/5/14

 

 

 

****Being God's Ground Crew****

Good Morning Happy Sunday, I pray we all had a blessed weekend, and that wherever we are this weekend we be a blessing and a bright light, making those who know what we're going through ask us how we go through what we do with a smile, and than we get to glorify the Father, and bring one of His children home and back to the path that God chose for them to be on, or perhaps we will meet someone who can give us some encouragement and rejuvenation by talking ...and sharing our Father's words. All I know is that if we have God at the front of our minds than we are guaranteed a good day, because we have our eyes on Jesus and not our circumstances. As we read in:

Hebrews 12:2-3New International Version (NIV)
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Thank you Father for the Sacrifice of Your Son, our Savior, for walking by our side in all situations, I pray for those who are suffering in any way, and that we remember our Father's words above, remember He wants the best for us, that He equipped us for all circumstances with a full set of Armor as He speaks of in:

Ephesians 6: 10-17 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The world is beginning to resemble just what the Lord forewarned us would happen, and sadly He explained it was only the beginning, so you can only imagine how important it is we wear our armor daily. Would you walk into a quarantined building without a protective suit? I think not, nor can we go out into our day not knowing what lies ahead without first consulting with our Lord on the day which He has planned, and secondly, prepared by being fully equipped. May our week reveal all our Father's gifts and blessings on our path, may the enemy be kept at bay by our preparedness,
and may we all be a vehicle, that Shines our Lord's Light for all in the dark to find their way home. We lift this and all things up in the blood and name of Jesus Christ Amen

I hope the below poem from my upcoming Devotional "Poems of the Eternal Heart a Daily Devotional" inspires your week. :)

We Must Always Be Prepared

 

It's just a natural reflex,

when someone that you love,

is headed towards the danger zone

and suddenly needs a shove,

 

For how many times have we set out

on a path we thought was right,

only to find out once we arrived,

our assignment was not in sight.

 

That's why communication is

 the key we must behold,

though talking is important,

it's in the listening where we're told,

 

Exactly why He keeps us here

so He can use us as He needs,

for we're His mighty vehicles

with whom He spreads His seeds.

 

To rescue all His children

is the goal at hand,

if only we'd remember

it's His footprints in the sand....

 

Patricia VanDenburg

6/28/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Part in the movie "Life on Earth"

Good afternoon Dear Friends, I pray we are all having a wonderful weekend, remembering that our God, our Heavenly Father, is working through all circumstances. including those which at the moment may make very little sense. Having been sick throughout my life, and surviving only by the power of the Holy Spirit, whom permitted me a life I never thought possible, even if it wasn't the one I envisioned, it was a life all the same. I turned 54 on Monday, and  I never thought I'd see 25, so could it have been less pain-filled, less hospitals, less surgeries, for me, No because this is the Life God made for me, Have I questioned, absolutely, do I still, having 2 more surgeries just around the corner about to happen, yes, but not as much, nor with the depth of puzzlement I once had.

 Now I have come to know that maybe I am suppose to share and witness about these surgeries, or perhaps my roommate will be on the fence about God, or will be more intimate with Him, and help me grow. Maybe a Dr. I meet will be a future husband. You see there lies the difference; once where there was anger, confusion and disappointment, I truly know that all this pain, these changes, and struggle are for my good, and the good of the family. God wants what's best, not just what's good,
(Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.")

 Each of us has to be put in every scenario that will come up in this life, everyone has a part in the show, and this is my part. So when we are praying today and tonight, let's try and remember, (1)who our director is, and (2)who gave us our part in this movie called "Life on Earth." Because the reality is; this is our work and when we're done, we get to go home, and if we can remember that, than somehow it all gets easier to handle and understand. Have a week full of love, wisdom, clarity, and peace.

 May we hear the discernment of the Holt Spirit so we may be a blessing to others, and see the gifts God has placed on our individual path's. I pray we are all there to receive them, and that the enemy doesn't trick us onto another path where we think we are helping, but it's a distraction to keep us from being where God intended, that is why daily discernment is vital to hearing from the Father after we speak, we must wait on His direction.

God's timing I as important as His plan, so though He may call us to help a specific someone, we must make sure it is when He sets it up, and not the deceiver, because if we are early, we may be missing something wonderful on our path, if we're late, we may prevent a blessing meant for someone else. So the study for the week is all word pertaining to discernment.

We lift this and all petitions up in the blood and name of our loving Savior Jesus Christ amen blow is a poem from my upcoming Devotional " Poems of the Eternal Heart a Daily Devotional" love, hugs, and payers Patricia

Crystal Clear

 

When something lays upon our hearts,

and we just can't let it go,

remember that a loving heart,

is where the Spirit flows.

 

He's who our Father uses,

to make things crystal clear,

so that the lies of the enemy,

can no longer build up fear.

 

For when the Father is close to us,

and we keep in touch each day,

than we know without a single doubt,

there is no one in our way,

 

To complete each task He's given us,

is our only job at hand,

and since our Father won this war,

His Finally will be "Grand".....

 

Patricia VanDenburg

6/22/14

 

When tThings Don't Always Start Out Right

 I hope as the day went on our pains and troubles faded, as we leaned on our Father and surrendered the burdens, deceptions, and roadblocks to Him. As is the purity and beauty of this rose, so is the unconditional, never-ending, blissful, serene love, and plans, our Father has for us. He gives us a glimpse of that beauty, for as in our carnal state of mind, we could not handle the wonderment, joy, and serenity, of our forever.

 But when we smell the fragrance of the trees, grass, flowers, we see the artwork that could never have left a brush unless inspired, when we hear the poetry or the sound of a violin or a flute, as if that were the sound of peace itself, than I remember why we must ignore the deceiver, look at the eyes of the Father, not the circumstance of the lie, so we can spread light where there is darkness. Our Savior filled us with the Spirit, a beacon of light and hope. He is a book full of all knowledge and wisdom, and He is our guide through this world, through discernment, allowing true communication with the Savior, who in turn stands up for us to the Father.

 It is so glorious when we sit still, listen, remember, and apply. I pray we all are able to apply as much as possible the rest of the week and until we head home, may we be tricked almost never, and that we bask in the light, love, and wisdom that indwells in us, How we thank you Heavenly Father for this gift of Grace, to know this is temporary, our work address for You, till we are all together forever, in Eternal Joy, love, happiness, and purity. We lift this petition and all things up in the blood and name of our precious Savior Jesus Christ amen

Below is a poem from my upcoming devotional "Poems of the Eternal Heart
 a Daily Devotional"

Through It All

 

 

In the still of the night,...
by the light of the day,
when things start to look iffy,
We kneel down to pray.

 

 For it's a wonderful blessing,
to know it's all true,
that each promise in His word,
our Father will do.

 

For with each step we take,
on the path that He chose,
even through the rough trials,
our life continually grows.

 

And the best part of all,
is that one day we'll be,
not just with the Spirit and Savior,
but at home with all three.....

Patricia VanDenburg
6/9/14