Monday, January 23, 2017

Sweet Fellowship ~



  It's a New Year ~ new beginnings ~ a newness in life ~ why is that?
Why does the New Year create in us a desire for newness? 
I'm not quite sure, but it certainly feels good
and it sure does give one hope ~
and it sure does cause one to ponder on life
and God and our relationship with Jesus. 
That's me this year. 
Since my Balance Disorder, the work of mom and dad's
Estate sale, dad's going on to glory, looking after the needs of my dear mother, 
I have missed my walk and precious relationship with God.
Life became...
Oh, I still walk closely with my Heavenly Father, 
and I love Him with my whole heart, but I was so involved 
with the many things that needed my attention,
I was missing that closeness and endearing walk and
personal relationship with the Lord of my life, Jesus. 
Do you struggle with this?
I believe as much as we love God and want that close relationship with Him,
life has a way of robbing us from that sweet fellowship
if we're not careful.
It's easy to allow our service unto God
to take precedence over what's more important, 
a close relationship with Him.


"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after;
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, 
to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple."
*Psalms 27:4*
This New Year, my desire is to live and walk in the presence of the Lord, 
to have sweet and deep fellowship with Jesus, the Lord of my life,
like I have never experienced before. 
As I plan on putting Psalm 27:4 into practice, I will look on God's splendor and glory
in every aspect of my life no matter what God has for me in the days ahead
and learn the heart and ways of the Almighty. 
I know and believe that my God is never going to fail me,
His Word tells me so.
"That he would grant you, according to the riches off his glory, 
to be strengthened with might by his Spirit  in the inner man. 
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask our think according
to the power that worketh in us. "
*Ephesians 4:16&20*

God's riches are inexhaustible, He will supply my every need
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
He will meet me right where I am, He will walk with me
and talk with me, as I seek after Him.
Oh the wonderful love of  my Jesus!


As I look back on these past three years,
 beginning with the episode of my Inner Ear Balance/Disorder
 I can't help but praise God. 
God commands us in Colossians chapter 3 verse 17 ~
" And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him. "

Without offering gratitude through our circumstances in life
we can become disappointed and miss out on the joy of the Lord.
Gratitude, as we know, can play a huge part in our hearts,
it can cause us to go through the daily struggles of life
discouraged and down trodden, 
or, we can choose to sing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.


Do you desire to walk close or even closer to God?
He longs to have that close walk 
and sweet, sweet fellowship with us.
May this be a New Year ~ with new beginnings ~
and a newness in your heart for Jesus too. 

"These things write we unto you, 
that your joy may be full. "
Heavenly Father ~Your Word tells us that our joy will be full
when we maintain fellowship with You. 
May that be our hearts desire.  
Amen. 

Joy!
~ Debbie ~

☆ My journal in the photo is from my dear Stephanie's etsy shoppe
Her hand crafted items show forth her loving heart. ♡



28 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Love your journal and your words are always beautiful and so full of love and faith. I do think the new year inspires hopes of better things for us in the year ahead. It is like sweeping out the garage/storage space. Emptied of the old and messed up and ready to receive new treasures. xo Diana

hobbyloes said...

What a wonderful post about your desire to walk closer to God.
I wasn't well, so I have missed your sweet writings and I hope
and I will to live closer to Jesus.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a lovely, encouraging post. I also desire for a closer, deeper relationship with Jesus. To completely trust Him in all areas of my life.

Thank you for being the inspiration that you are.

Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady

Jackie See said...

Thank you for your post about the New Year. Last year was a very challenging year for me. I am a new follower, so I am greatfull that Nan Diana had you in her sidebar. Your blog is a blessing...

Jeanna said...

Another lovely post, Debbie. It is always a blessing to ready your words.

I look forward to this year and all it has to bring. I also desire to grow closer to our Lord.

Enjoy your day!

Annesphamily said...

Good morning Debbie, I needed this today! My life has been disconnected lately. So much distracting me and I need to get back into my groove and set my priorities in order. I am grateful my blog and those I follow is not filled with the hate we are seeing in this world. I just want to be peaceful and pray for all the sadness and hate in our world.
You touched my heart today. Thank you and enjoy a beautiful week and many blessings. Hugs

Ginny said...

Thank you, Debbie, this really spoke to my heart. I have been so distracted probably this past year because of the election. I seem to have given politics a higher place than my relationship with the Lord. I realized this early on, however, the world took hold. My desire is to get back on track, stay off of social media for a while, or at least limit my time there, and focus on immersing myself in the Word. I was really giving this a lot of thought lately. I look forward to this year, praying for peace, an end to the hatred and anger that is so prevalent right now, and time spent with my God.
You always have the right thing to say! Bless you!

Daniela said...

Dearest Debbie,
your thoughts and your words filled with Love and Wisdom are always such a source of reflexion to me, I need your words and your solace, you're such a treasure to me, cherished friend !

Wishing you the best of weeks,
I'm sending hugs and ever much love across the many miles,
blessed be !

Xx Dany

Melanie said...

Beautiful post, Debbie. As I read, the scripture came to me "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you." Probably horribly paraphrased but that I always puzzled over that verse. How can I give thanks for bad things that have happened to me? I've since learned that everything that happens to us is for a purpose. We can give thanks for the situation knowing that it is good OR that God will bring something good out of it. He only has the best in mind for us. Have a blessed week.

Sylvia said...

Yes, my heart longs for that closeness and sweet fellowship also. I think sometimes we move away from Him, but He has promised never to forsake His own, I cling to His promises.
Have a wonderful day Debbie.

Sylvia

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Debbie, your post is an uplift for the season and the start of a new year. Everything is renewed and made fresh again when we look towards our Lord for HIS direction and wait to listen. We need him in all ways and at all times. What a blessing to know HE is by our side. To God be the Glory!!!
Stephanie's journal is gorgeous. Always love your beautiful photos. I'm still away but will stop in now and then when I can. Wishing you a beautiful new week. xoxo

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

As always, your words were encouraging and meaningful for me today, dearest Debbie. It is so important to give thanks, even amongst the struggles. I am reading a little book called Jesus in You...The Indwelling of the Trinity in the Souls of the Just. It's very good!

Debby Ray said...

My deepest desire is always to have a deeper walk and strengthened relationship to Jesus, however, my good intentions don't always pan out. Your words were like a balm to my soul, even today as I struggle to get myself focused. I wasn't in the mood to read blog posts today for some reason but I am glad I changed my mind. God's timing is always perfect, even in the Land of Blog :) Hugs to you, my friend.♥

Elizabethd said...

As soon as I saw the journal I just knew it was a 'Stephanie'!

M.K. said...

"It's easy to allow our service unto God
to take precedence over what's more important,
a close relationship with Him."
That's so, so true, Debbie! I do the same thing. I'm a "doer." I'm busy. I often forget to STOP, to listen, to pray, to rest. Rest is what we were made for.
Years ago I memorized Psalm 27 because it had become to precious to me that I wanted the verses with me all the time. I love the thought of simply living in God's house, the quiet and rest of it. Remaining in God's presence and thinking of Him and His view of things. Good reminder, friend!

Kim said...

How lovely to visit you Debbie and read your beautiful and heart touching words AND drink in your beautiful photos. I always love a new year. This year I want to live a beautiful life, in thought, deed and words. A daily walk with Jesus is oh so many things, but ultimately it is one where it is always a joy to rest in Him and know whatever I am thinking or doing He is with me, listening to me, regardless of what I am saying. He just wants me to be me and let Him be Him. Love this post! You are such a gorgeous lady and such a blessing!

NanaNor's said...

Dear Debbie, Love this post! I love your heart that yearns for more of Jesus. Is your balance disorder Vertigo? I have had it on and off for the last 12 years-only get it occasionally, every three or four years. I've learned what to take-Benedryl at night and Bonine during the day. In fact, I haven't had it for awhile, but it came this weekend. I know the exercises to do for it and started this morning.
Praying His healing hand on you.
Hugs,
Noreen

Cheryl said...

You are SO right...Stephanie's creations surely do show forth her loving heart. She is just precious...as are you, my dear, patient friend. I loved this post. So full of the goodness of God. It is so wonderful to have access to fellowship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and to allow Him to lead every, single part of our lives and days. What glory to walk through this life hand in hand with Him! Too often we miss out on precious blessings when we fail to make time for Him in our busyness of life, and sometimes it is because, by default, the lot falls to us to do certain things...we simply have no choice. I could so relate to all you were saying about the load you carried regarding things to do with your dear parents. May the dear Lord bless you and strengthen you and reach you even in those busy places, so you can constantly commune with Him. Sending you much love and many blessings, dear friend. ;)

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Oh Debbie! How this post resonates deep within my heart! Out of the depths of the difficulties in our lives comes the sweetest, most powerful and beautiful times with the Lord. Your lovely pictures coupled with the heartfelt longing words speak of a deep hunger in your heart for more of Him. So beautifully written, and spoken and my heart agrees with you! May the desire of your heart be fulfilled in Him in very special and glorious way! Hugs to you today :)

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Love the pictures...very lovely. Sounds like we are on a similar wave length...seeking the Lord with our whole hearts and wanting to dwell in His presence...this is the theme for 2017...Resting in Jesus...and it is a challenge for me to sit down and do exactly that.
Praying for you as you continue to deal with the areas of difficulty in your life...your inner ear...oh, I've had little bouts of vertigo and know how hard that is. And caring for your mother...yes...I understand that too. We just put my MIL in a nursing home after sharing her care with her other son and family for several years. But thankfully she is doing well in the home, and we are very thankful for the way God worked this out. Praying that God will give you the strength you need for each new challenge...and that you will bask in the warmth of His glory and grace.

Linda Walker said...

Dear Debbie,
Everything in your post resonated with me, we seem to live parallel lives in some ways. It's been a challenging year for me too so I have put everything in God's hands. I hope the new year brings you everything you need, including the time you so desire to walk with God. Wishing you peace, comfort and good health in the year ahead. Sending love,
Linda

Linda Walker said...

Dear Debbie,
Everything in your post resonated with me, we seem to live parallel lives in some ways. It's been a challenging year for me too so I have put everything in God's hands. I hope the new year brings you everything you need, including the time you so desire to walk with God. Wishing you peace, comfort and good health in the year ahead. Sending love,
Linda

Marilyn Mathis said...

Lovely post containing words so true in my life. Increased tasks often take my time and one place you can get a few more minutes is in decreasing my devotional time. I must be so very careful. Little things become big problems when I do not spend sufficient time with the Lord daily. Thanks for your reminders and encouragement. Hugs

Creations By Cindy said...

Beautiful post Debbie. I love your words of It's easy to allow our service unto God to take precedence over what's more important,
a close relationship with Him. SO VERY TRUE! I have gotten caught up in this myself at times and I am ALWAYS so grateful when the Lord convicts my heart about it. Thanks for sharing so lovingly of yourself. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

so true dear Debbie oh that we might walk more truly in the light of the word of our dear LORD love the verses you've used such great treasures to hid in our heart.

Thanks for being a blessing and so faithful to share with us! Shaz in Oz.x

{Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

Anonymous said...

A beautiful post, dear friend. Brings to my the old hymn, Just A Closer Walk With Thee. The journal made by sweet Stephanie is lovely. May God bless you in this new week.
(I have just started a new blog, a photo a day blog, if you would like to visit, just click on my name in this comment.) xo

Kelly @ Homespuns 'n Hayfields said...

What a wonderful post Debbie.
The photos are beautiful and I absolutely love how Stephanie decorated the journal.
I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

Anne Payne said...

Debbie, I find that often life seems to take over and I skip or decrease my time spent in the Word and prayer. That is always to my own detriment! And I feel like...Will I ever learn?! :) Thankfully we serve a God who is waiting with open arms to enfold us in when we come back to Him. I decided to claim PRAY as my word for 2017. You, my dear friend, have been such a prayer partner and encourager!!! Love & hugs

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