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Welcome!
A WALK IN THE GARDEN DEVOTIONALS
Hope & Encouragement for Life's Journey
{October, 2008}
Hold Fast to the End; Do Not Waver
Greetings my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, to Him be glory forever and ever.
Yet another day has been gifted to us to exercise ourselves in the faith and hope to which we are called. Therefore, let us not waver, but hold fast to the end.
It is glaringly apparent, that the world in which we make our earthly sojourn is becoming increasingly opposed to the things of God. Day by day, we are surrounded by contradictions of many sorts, and danger looms on every side. Let us not forget to be vigilant and focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, who has called us to Himself, to be His special bride without spot or blemish. Let us be careful not to mingle with the ungodly works of darkness, but rather expose them. For we are light and salt in the earth. Not called to conform to this world or the patterns of a God-hating society, but to be 'transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we maybe able to prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.' Romans 12:2.
We see clearly from the word of God, that the world in its fallen state is lost and alienated from God, but we thank God for becoming flesh to die for the sins of the world. 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
His blood has made atonement for our sins, and we are pressing on to the mark of our high calling in Christ. Even so, do not be ignorant of satan's devices, for he always seeks to devour and many are being caught in his craftiness. As stated earlier, we are called to be light and salt in the earth. We are ambassadors of Christ, and have received the ministry of reconciliation. For us who have been enlightened, we cannot profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, and yet deny the Lord in the marketplace of life. "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." "For whosoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels." Luke 9:23-26.
God will often allow us to enter into many trials and tests. He tested Israel forty years in the wilderness to see what was in their hearts. Some failed the test; they grumbled and complained and denied the Holy One of Israel who delivered them by His mighty arm from their enemies. God is still testing us who say we are His. Whether it be in the flood plain, the wilderness or anywhere else on the course of our journey, may we grow in grace and the knowledge of Him. He is shattering all our preconceived ideas as to whom we think He is. He wants us to know Him. In His furnace, will we be still as He makes us into the vessel He wants? Or do we squirm out of His grasp, undone, untried and unfit for His purposes? The world may beckon, not always in the obvious, but in the subtle. Will we deny Him for position or fame? Will we compromise what we believe - the truth He has taught us for some lie? Will we change our minds about Him? Will we give in to societal pressures to conform? Will we cast our faith aside for a moment in the world's spotlight just to garner their favor? Will we shuffle along or will we walk uprightly before Him? Will we put others before Him? Will we become pretenders - professing to love Him, but yet not obey His words? Will we become betwixt between two opinions?
I say friends: Let it be a definitive NO. No to the world, no to sin, no to being men-pleasers, no to self and to anything and anyone that tries to stand in our way as we run this race that is set before us. 'Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3.
Cast not away your faith which has great recompense of reward, but endure.
Hold fast to the end my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord; do not waver. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Marcia Niles
{July, 2008}
No More Tears
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus:
No more tears on the other side…gird up your loins here, and trust in his words, knowing that there won't be no more tears on the other side.
I say again, no more tears on the other side…gird up your loins here, and trust in his words, knowing that there won't be no more tears on the other side.
See, this road that we travel is often filled with hurts and pains, burdens sometimes heavy, on the long winding road, but looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; He bids us to come and give it all to him; He's the sweetest friend I know, and I'll never let him go.
Aren't you glad that one beautiful day, He came to your heart and said I'll never leave, I'll never depart? When problems come banging on your door, and lightning at the window, know that Christ is the Lord of the storm, yes Christ is Lord of the seas, yes Christ is our all in all.
Go comfort your brother and your sister too. Love one another as Christ has loved you. Pray for me as I pray for you.
He is coming again, that could be today, so guard your hearts and watch and pray. Don't be fooled by the devil's tricks and lies. Jesus will appear with His angels in the skies. He is coming for you; He is coming for me…until then, keep your hands to the plow. Don't be weary in doing good; don't let your troubles get you down. Lift up your heads, lift them up high. For Jesus will dry all the tears from your eyes.
No more tears on the other side…gird up your loins here, and trust in his words, knowing that there won't be no more tears on the other side. He gives songs in the night. These words he gave to me some days ago, I'm giving to you.
Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 49: 13-26
"Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted.
But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me."
Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me. Your sons shall make haste; your destroyers and those who laid you waste shall go away from you. Lift up your eyes, look around and see; all these gather together and come to you. As I live, says the Lord, you shall surely clothe yourselves with them all as an ornament, and bind them on you as a bride does.
For your waste and desolate places, and the land of your destruction, will even now be too small for the inhabitants; and those who swallowed you up will be far away. The children you have, after you have lost the others, will say again in your ears, the place is too small for me; give me a place where I may dwell. Then you will say in your heart, "Who has begotten these for me, since I have lost my children and am desolate, a captive, and wandering to and for? And who has brought these up? There I was, left alone; but these, where were they?"
Thus says the Lord God:
"Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations, and set up My standard for the peoples; they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders; kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers; they shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord, for they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me."
Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of the righteous be delivered?
But thus says the Lord:
"Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children. I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. All flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."
Love in Christ Jesus,
Marcia Niles
{May, 2008}
In Patience Possess Ye Your Souls
Greetings my sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus,
I hope that once again, my letter to you finds you rejoicing in spirit, soul and body, though your sails maybe battered on the high seas of life and your journey beset by many an unrelenting trial. But I see Jesus, standing with you in your time of need and comforting you. I thank God for this, for He has said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” For He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities and by His stripes we are healed! He has taken this journey and is touched with our infirmities.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
So keep your eyes on Jesus, run on and finish your course with joy. Oh what bliss, when we shall see him face to face! Determine in your hearts not to let the complexion of the gray skies dim your vision of a loving Father or the noise of the tumult discourage you. Your prayers to the living God are being heard. He is able by His great arm to deliver and will deliver you from your troubles even as you put your trust in Him.
Remember also, to pray for each other. For throughout the world, our sisters and brothers of like precious faith are waging the good fight of faith, and they too are often beset by many trials and tribulations. We are His body and if one member hurts, we all feel the pain, for we are one in Christ. The effectual prayer of the righteous availeth much. Be careful also to give thanks to God in everything, for without Him we can do nothing. It is He who has made us and not we ourselves. As we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us and enlighten our hearts that we may know Him better. You blessed of the Lord, rejoice in the Lord your King -- The Great King of heaven and earth!
Scripture Reading for Today: Luke 21 -- In Patience, Possess Ye Your Souls.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Marcia Niles
A Walk in the Garden Devotionals
www.awalkinthegarden.com
{February, 2008}
Let Us Obey Him
Greetings my sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus,
I trust that this email finds you abiding in Him who has called us to himself. Abounding in his grace which is sufficient to carry us through this life and life eternal. We have this hope of seeing him face to face, Glory to His name!
As we sojourn here on the earth, engaging ourselves in his work, and our everyday obligations and endeavors, let us be careful to attend to His words and obey them. Time and time again, Israel forsook the law of the Lord and subsequently suffered at the hands of their enemies. For us who are living today, a law greater than that of Moses day has been inscribed upon our hearts. Regardless of what we are doing, however busy we may become, let us not overindulge, leaving little time for the things that truly matter. Moreover, let us not forsake our first LOVE, but obey Him.
The following words came to my heart a short while ago, I wrote:
Before we rush into His presence with a bombardment of petitions, have we listened all along to what He has been saying? When He calls out to us with our heavy burdens, bidding us to turn into His garden and take our rest in God, do we continue beating the beast of burden?
When he says, "STOP" that which you are doing, it's grieving my Spirit, do we heed his voice or continue on in our sin and iniquity?
When he says, I know the plans I have for you, do we take comfort in those words, or do we listen more intently to the promises made by mankind whose promises are broken, before they are ever spoken, including our own?
When he says, today I send you…do we say no Lord, I'm not ready, maybe tomorrow.
When he says, a new garment of praise I give you, do we say, no, I love wearing this old rag of misery.
When he says awake, do we say, Ah, but Lord, this sleep is sweet, I've been working hard.
When he says, behold, I am your God, do we say, it's true Lord, but I have more gods besides thee.
When he says, I called the morning…do we say, good morning Lord, but I have a grudge from yesterday?
When he says, Lo it is I…do not be afraid, do we say, I'm glad you're here Lord, comforting words, but I can protect myself.
When he says, it is I that caused thee to acquire wealth, do we say, not really, it was all my own doing, and I will spend it how I like.
When he says I have blessed thee, do we say, sorry Lord, but I don't see it.
When he says, get thee to "Nineveh", do we say, sure Lord, I'll go wherever you send me, but I think God is not looking, so I'll hop on the next ship heading for the Caribbean or Mediterranean..
When he says, there is nothing impossible for God, do we say, there is one thing Lord I know you can't do.
When he says, I will defend thee, do we say, I can defend myself.
When he says, I have anointed you for a given task, do we say, but Lord, I just can't do it.
When he says, eat my words, do we say, I prefer the steak and potatoes.
To obey is better than to sacrifice. Let us hearken to the voice of God.
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
As I prepared to communicate with you today, those words were confirmed when I opened the bible and there before my eyes was Jeremiah 9. The page began with verse 9. At your convenience, you may read the preceding verses. From verse 9-24, it reads: "Shall I not punish them of these things? says the Lord. Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?
I will take up a weeping and wailing for the mountains, and for the dwelling places of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that no one can pass through; nor can men hear the voice of the cattle, both the birds of the heavens and the beasts have fled; they are gone.
I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a den of jackals. I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant." Who is the wise man who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through?
And the Lord said, "Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it, but they have walked according to the dictates of their own hearts and after the Baals, which their fathers taught them." Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, "Behold I will feed them, this people , with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. I will scatter them also among the Gentiles, whom neither they nor their fathers have known. And I will send a sword after them, until I have consumed them."
Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for skillful wailing women, that they may come. Let them make haste and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run with tears, and our eyelids gush with water. For a voice of wailing is heard from Zion: How we are plundered! We are greatly ashamed, because we have forsaken the land, because we have been cast out of our dwellings."
Yet hear the word of the Lord, O women, and let your ear receive the word of His mouth; teach your daughters wailing, and everyone her neighbor a lamentation. For death has come through our windows, has entered our palaces, to kill off the children - no longer to be outside! And the young men--no longer on the streets! Speak, "Thus says the Lord: Even the carcasses of men shall fall as refuse on the open field, like cuttings after the harvester, and no one shall gather them."
Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord.
God loves us so much, He gave His Son for us. He desires to have unbroken fellowship with His children. Let us love Him, and be pleasing to Him in what we do and say. Let us obey.
As always, let's pray one for another. God bless you.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Marcia Niles
A Walk in the Garden Devotionals
{December, 2007}
Still Clinging to the Vine
Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus:
I trust that you are persevering with hope and patience and that you are still running that great race set before you.
This year, unlike all others I can recall, the wild crab apple tree has produced more clusters of fruit, and the largest and ripest I have seen. Long after the summer passed, and the fall season arrived, these typically small fruits have remained on the branches to the delight of the birds and squirrels who feast happily to their heart's content.
Now here in the middle of December, there are still about 14 fruits clinging to the branches. You would think by now, with some gusty winds and a snowfall, and the falling off of the tree leaves, the crab apples would have surrendered to the elements of nature. With a weather forecast predicting another snowstorm later this week, it's highly possible that the crab apples will not survive much longer, but they are clinging nonetheless.
We have a true vine on which to cling. Winds and storms pass through, the elements are not always favorable, but the fruit has remained, because to abide in this vine is to bear much fruit.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. John 15:1
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
May our branches continue to produce more and more clusters of fruit as we take nourishment from the vine. As we submit to the vinedresser and allow Him to prune us, we will flourish season after season to His delight. Whatever the world's forecast has predicted, unlike the crab apples that will eventually fall, our fruit shall remain forever.
May the Lord bless you as you cling fast to Him. Let's pray one for another.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Marcia Niles
A Walk in the Garden Devotionals
{October, 2007}
Praise & Thanksgiving
Greetings to all of you,
Trust you are well, and rejoicing in spirit, soul, and body despite your many trials.
Oh give thanks to God our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. {Isaiah 40:28-31}
Here before His throne of grace, we thank Him who sacrificed Himself not for a few, but for the sins of the whole world. We wait patiently for Him to perfect all that concerns us, as we surrender our wills to His own, saying, "Lord, not my will, but thine be done on earth as it is in heaven."
A Well-Watered Garden:
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness."
Let us take great delight in our God, giving thanks and praise always, for He takes pleasure in our praise. He's the creator of us all. He will refresh His inheritance as with rain, even the rain of His Holy Spirit. "For the Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody." {Isaiah 51:3}
He comforts all who mourn, and consoles those who mourn in Zion. To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. {Isaiah 61:2-3}
"For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. {Isaiah 61:11}
May the Lord go before you this day, and make the crooked ways straight. May He lead you in the paths of His righteousness. May He grant you grace and peace for all your life's encounters and renew your strength like the eagles. Amen.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Marcia Niles
A Walk in the Garden Devotionals
{August, 2007}
Be steadfast, immovable, unshakable!
I trust that this communique finds you rejoicing in spirit, soul and body. Thanking God for his grace which He has so abundantly poured into our lives. Let us therefore go forward in His strength from day to day. Each moment of our existence is a gift from God. As we go about our daily lives, let us walk circumspectly, not as fools, but wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
May the Lord grant us wisdom and understanding, filling us with the knowledge of His will, that we may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, (hallelujah!) in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.(Colossians 1: 9-14)
May our heavenly Father grant us His wonderful peace, even as we keep our minds stayed on Him. Let us continue to commit our ways into His hands for it is He, God Almighty who has made us and not we ourselves. We are finite, but He is infinite, before all things and in Him all things consist. He is also all wise and powerful. Our God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask, think or imagine. Do not be swept along by the current of the world, but keep your feet planted on the word of God and look unto Him who is the author and finisher of our faith.
Lift up your heads! Rejoice in trials, and tribulations. Be steadfast, immovable, unshakeable! “Do not be afraid, it is I” has been His words to His friends and we are His friends. Take delight in Him. He shall establish our going out and our coming in. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, lift up your voice and sing praises. With the same comfort we have received, let us comfort others in their own distresses. Speak to one another in songs, hymns and spiritual songs, sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God, the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.(Ephesians 5:19-20)
May the Lord uphold you by His generous Spirit!
Love in Christ Jesus,
Marcia Niles
{June 2007}
Rejoice! God has a plan and He
wants you involved!
Greetings my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,
Rejoice! God has a plan and He wants you involved!
God desires to use us for establishing His purposes on the earth. So often, as with generations past and now, we limit God in our thoughts. He has said, “Do not limit the Holy one of Israel.” and to Jeremiah who felt he was inadequate for the task, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” And Jeremiah answered, “Ah, Lord God! Behold I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” And the Lord replied, “Do not say, I am a youth, for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth, and the Lord said to him: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:5-10)
And this youth who had complained before God about his weaknesses was now running with God’s word in his mouth, but it was also in his heart. No number of threats or persecutions that followed, because of the word spoken, would deter him from his calling. He said, “I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name,” but His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.” (Jeremiah 20:9)
God has assignments for each of us to fulfill in our lifetime. There are things He has often instructed us to do, but through fears and doubts we have not attended to His words. He has put His good spirit within us, and has equipped us with His glorious power. The question becomes, have we made ourselves available? Have we allowed the naysayers to intimidate us from putting our hands to the plow and not turning back? There are dreams and visions God has given to us that He might be glorified, and His ways known upon the earth. Like a book, our lives are not the sum of one chapter, but many. We must learn to close the pages on the old, and begin anew. Do not allow yourself to fade away, but delight yourself in the law of the Lord, and in His law meditate day and night, and be like that tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
I am excited about beginning a new chapter in my life with God at the helm and at the rearguard. I am using His gifts and talents inside of me, and looking to the face of God for His perfect direction in a new endeavor. He wants us to root out and pull down, and destroy those things that oppose Him and His perfect will, and for us to build and to plant. That the world may know that there is a God who does great things, bless His Holy Name! We cannot do any of the above in our own strength or might. As with Jeremiah, we need a touch of God’s hand. He has not promised the way will be easy, but we know who holds our hand and who has all power in heaven and on earth.
I pray this word will encourage you to stay focused on God and let Him use you as He pleases. Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith! On Christ we stand!
Let’s pray one for another!
Love in Christ Jesus,
Marcia Niles
{March, 2007}
"My Grace is Sufficient for Thee..."
I trust you are all clinging to the Lord as we press towards the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus. As we grow in grace, the burdens grow lighter, for He has said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.“ (Matthew 11:28-30.) He also has said, “My grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is perfected in weakness.”
I thank God for his marvelous grace! How shall I not praise Him who has become my Savior and my God; my strong and mighty tower, my bulwark never failing; my joy and my song; my peace and anchor in the storms, and a shade upon my right hand. We have all come this far by faith and grace will lead us home.
When the road you are traveling seem to yield trial after trial, and the mountains loom large in the way, take courage fellow Christian. Christ has given us the victory, but this truth will not be fully grasped until there is a renewing of our minds -- until there is a casting down of imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
I was recently rejoicing with my 90 year old grandmother who had two “below the knee” amputations, each within the space of a few months, both at the age of 89. In her late years, her legs had been riddled with arthritis pain, causing for many sleepless nights. Yet, she never complained. Prior to her surgeries, and for a number of years, it had become physically difficult for her to attend Sunday morning services, and tend to her garden on the sunny shores of Barbados. Yet she never stopped praising the good Lord and giving him glory, always speaking of His goodness! Her children would often admonish her to take things easy, since she has a hardworking nature that never seems to quit. In just a short while after losing both her legs, I found out that grandma made it to church accompanied by two dear friends. She later testified, “Yes, I made it to church in my limousine, (referring to her wheelchair,) and it felt so good, I wished there was a service on Monday too.” How everyone was so happy to see her after her long absence. She shared with me by telephone that it was her deep desire to return to the house of God before “that other time.” I knew exactly what she meant. She wanted to be there again, singing and rejoicing with the saints while there was still life in her. Even at 90, she is very alert, and both young and old people often marvel at the beautiful way she has aged, with all her faculties intact. Her response: The good Lord!
While recently introducing a hymn in our fellowship as my grandmother’s favorite, and unbeknownst to me, my grandmother was again in the house of God many miles away, praising her Maker. From a human perspective, you can’t miss the irony -- how with both her legs, she couldn’t make it to service, now without them, she can be found amongst the saints! If you would bear with me a little here, and think of all His goodness and that His faithfulness endures to all generations, and give Him all the glory! For the things of God are deep and His ways past finding out. Who can tell how a matter will turn out? Fear not my Christian brother and sister! This Jesus we love and serve is able to do the impossible. In the story of Lazarus, the word of God says that Jesus knew already what he would do. Let’s not limit the God of Israel who has become our God. With our lives in His hands, he will work all things together for our good to the glory of His name! Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. No one but God holds the blueprint of your life. He alone will chart your course. He never promised the way would always be easy, but He has promised this: “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
So whether you are young or old, and feeling shaken by the storms, or like the sails on your boat are being torn apart and you feel doom and gloom around you, and there is water rolling into your boat, and that you will sink and be drowned or that you will be burned in the fire -- Be still and know that He is God. For when the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will set a standard against him. See the Lord rejoicing your spirit; see Him like a good father who cares for His own. See Him strengthening you and working all things together for your good. See Him delighting Himself in you and the praise that you offer unto Him. See Him smiling upon you with joy as His redeemed. See Him cupping your face and looking you in the eyes and saying to you, “Do not be afraid my child. You are mine.”
As we undertake the process of renewing our minds and surrendering our wills to His perfect will, we will continue on this journey in full assurance, that all is well with our souls. What might appear as a hopeless situation is actually unfolding into a declaration of God’s power and grace upon your life. So let’s continue to pray one for another and trust God who is all wise. He does all things well, and will perfect all that concerns us.
I leave you with this scripture: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Lord bless you all!
Marcia Niles
A Walk in the Garden Devotionals
{January, 2007}
When the Water Breaks
Greetings to you of like precious faith!
I thank the Lord for His unwavering love and care towards us. He will not suffer the righteous to be moved. We are nothing in ourselves. He has clothed us with His own righteousness that we might show forth His praise! Bless His holy name!
I trust this communique finds you rejoicing in spirit, soul and body! May the Lord grant you peace, strength and joy in your innermost being.
I was recently reminded of the importance of nurturing and sheltering those things that have been entrusted to us by the Lord. It often starts with a seed planted in our hearts. Be careful not to cast away your faith, for it has great recompense of reward. Guard your seed, and water it with prayer and the word of God and act on your faith.
God often will use the simplest of things to teach us the greater truth. So there it was, a houseplant on the verge of extinction. You know how some plants are, one moment they are luscious and growing, another time they are fading away. I determined it was time to take steps to preserve it. With some extra care, I was certain, it would not die. So the weeks went by, and nothing appeared to be happening. Isn't that typical of our waiting before God experiences? When the days turn into months, and the months into years and the answers we've been looking for seem distant or long in coming. We go through a series of labor pains that only women who have been expectant can fully appreciate. I personally have never given birth to a child, but me like you have been in labor of a different sort -- that place where God is pruning us and preparing us for His service. Or a place where the adversary is trying to buffet us to hinder our God ordained path. Remember Daniel? God heard His servant. The angel said this: "Do not fear Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words, but the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me…"
As I continued to take care of my little plant, something caught my eye. There in the soil was a tiny green shoot, an actual leaf in its infant stage, making its way upward. Shortly thereafter, it shot up and quickly unfolded into a full size leaf, a picture of health. Within days, out of it sprung another, and another, and another…! And it keeps growing. I often joke that it's in a greenhouse in that I regulate how much it gets watered, how much light exposure and I often drape a plastic over the pot to retain moisture and keep the leaves free of radicals.
I thank my God for allowing me to see this whole process. When we take time to nourish and pray over the things in our hearts, and walk in obedience, He will satisfy our desires. He cares more for us than the lilies of the field. It is God alone who gives life and may He this day, give life to your hopes and dreams that may seem in your own eyes, ready to die. May new life spring forth and may you behold His handiwork in your life. Do not grow weary in well doing, for in due season, you will reap your reward, if you faint not. Put your hand to the plow and don't look back. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths!
May the living water break forth upon your life and cause you to flourish! Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith!
Love in Christ Jesus,
Marcia Niles
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