THE IMPORTANCE OF NIGHT

The Importance of Night

Thank You for the close of the day where I seek God’s peace for a good night’s rest.
Thank You for walking with me today and leading me on a life full of adventure.
Did I speak kind words to someone I knew was sad or lonely?
Did I check on a parent or a special love one?
Did I give my children quality time?
Did I let God fit in this day’s schedule?
Did I pray without ceasing?
Did I sit still waiting for God to speak or did I just fill the air with my petitions?
As I sit outside watching the animals get still for the night, I thank God because I am so blessed.
A lone star appears in the sky.
A sky that is turning from blue to red to black.
The darkness creeps in like a blanket that covers a small child for warmth and safety at night.
The animals are so still you could hear a pin drop in the grass.
The birds have perched in the trees or went to their nests.
A fish occasionally jumps out of the water to catch a knat.
Dusk covers the earth.
The fireflies twinkle as they light up the night sky.
A full moon sends rays of light thus causing the trees to form shadows that dance on the lake.
How still the earth becomes.
God created night so man could rest from his labors.
How do you use your time at night?
Do you shut out the business of the day and find a quiet place for 30 minutes or do you go full steam ahead until your head hits the pillow.
It is no wonder our nights are filled with tossing and turning.
May I learn to become so still in my mind and body that I can receive the fullness of rest that my body desperately needs to be refreshed for the coming of the dawn of the new day.
Selah (pause and calmly think of that)

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CALMNESS

Calmness

Thank you for the calmness of the morning.
The trees gently flow in the breeze.
You can barely see the ripples on the lake.
The butterflies flutter all around displaying beautiful yellows, oranges and blacks upon the air.
A hummingbird buzzes by one’s ear to see if you will move fast enough for him to be your prey.
The heron waits patiently to attack.
He sits for hours waiting and waiting.

How long will you sit before God communing with Him as friend to friend?
Do you sit ten minutes or only two?
Why will man not sit before God?
Why won't man seek His knowledge?
When you sit your prayers are filled with wants and needs.
Do you not understand that The Lord already knows what you need?
He wants your prayer time to be so much more.

If you would be still before God, you would hear His whispered words of joy and love.
He would lift you up even though you are down.
God will calm the raging storm within your soul and bring peace where you feel you have no peace.
He will heal.
He will restore relationships.
He will forgive and forget your sins.
There is so much more when you truly let God be your friend.
He does not withhold the keys of the kingdom, His wisdom, His mercy, or His love to those who want to be calm and hear.

Find yourself a quiet spot today and spend time with God.
Quality time.
Time where you let Him talk to you.
Receive His peace.
Receive His love.
Receive His mercy.
Receive His friendship.
Ask Him to walk with you through life.
You are never too big or too old to ask God to hold your hand and guide your steps.
He will take you to places you never dreamed possible.

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ANTICIPATION

Anticipation
(to look forward to especially with pleasure)

Stillness!
The house is so quiet.
Everyone has gone.
I sit outside in the swing feeling the gentle breeze and the warmth of the sun on my face waiting on a visit from God.
The wind picks up, the chirping birds become quiet as if in awe of their Father.
The sunlight gets brighter, the trees and grass become greener.
The earth seems to bow in reverence to its creator.
What will You teach me about life today, Lord?
Where will You guide my steps?
What new lesson will I learn?
What door of the Bible will You unfold for my understanding?
Will I learn what the trumpets and seals mean?
Will I feel or have compassion like Jesus for others?
May I learn to rejoice in all things whether good or bad?
May I see a glimpse of You Lord like the animals?
How wonderful it is to be alive.
How wonderful to have a friend like Jesus.
How wonderful to have a creator who supplies my every need.
You are a creator who loves me and is my friend.
You share my joys and my sorrows.
May I be worthy of Your precious love.
Thank You, God, for Your unwavering love.

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GOD'S WORDS FROM THE PSALMS

GOD’S WORDS FROM THE PSALMS ANSWERS OUR CRY
(taken from Psalms Chapters 1 – 31, New Revised Standard King James)

Oh Lord, be my helper today. I will sing praises to Your Holy Name.
The voice of the Lord is over everything.
You Lord are my light and my salvation.
Hear me Lord when I cry, come quickly to my aid.
Teach me Your way, Lord. Teach me Your way.

Since You are on my side whom shall I fear.
I fear only the Lord, my Creator, who created the heavens and the earth.
May I be humble learning Your way and walking in it.
You are my Shepherd, Lord.
I will and this family will lack nothing.

I will lie in pastures beside still and restful waters.
You will restore my life.
Even though I go through the darkest valleys,
I will fear no evil because Your rod will protect,
Your staff will guide, and Your peace will comfort me.
You prepare a table before me.
You prepare the way in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil,
Showering me with blessings untold, my cup runneth over.

Only goodness and mercy will follow me
All the days of my life because of You Lord.
I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
And in His presence all the days of my life.
I believe and know that I will
See the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
I will wait for the Lord.
I will be strong; my heart will take courage
Because I will wait on the Lord.

You do hear my cries for help.
I will lift up my hands praising You in Your Holy Temple.
Blessed be the Lord because he has heard my cry.
He is my strength and my shield in Him my heart trusts.
I will be helped as I sing praises of thanksgiving to God.

As I seek Your face Lord,
Teach me Your way and lead me on Your level path.
Only the Lord is holy.
The Lord will answer you in the day of trouble.
The name of the God of Jacob will protect you.
May He grant all of your heart’s desire and fulfill your plans,
Because the victory is God’s and God’s alone.

Thank you for answering when I call.
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord
Hallelujah to the Lamb of God
The Creator of all!

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The Rocking Chair

THE ROCKING CHAIR

When our oldest son was born, he was very sick. We were in the hospital for several weeks not knowing if he would live. Finally, we came home with our precious cargo. As I sat on the couch in our living room rocking back and forth, my mother walked in. She took one look at me and said she would be right back. About 45 minutes went by and she drove up with a beautiful wooden rocking chair sticking out of the trunk. The hours I spent rocking my children and feeling the love that was expressed by this gift is priceless. I rocked and read to my children from this chair but in the morning when my children saw me sit down with my black Bible they would quietly play around my feet not interrupting me. I would pray and commune with God but when I finished they would be waiting patiently to get in my lap. I feel they felt a peace over me that passes all understanding. The rocking chair has long worn out but the memories, lessons, and love will live forever.

Take time to let your children see you commune with God regularly. It will impact their lives forever.

Actions speak louder than words. Gifts of love last a lifetime.

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SINCERE PRAYER

A child’s words are so pure, so loving, and so honest. Do we teach our children to pray or has God given us our children to teach us? Their prayers are so sincere. They pray for God to heal a cut or to receive a cone of ice cream. Their prayers are simple but full of warmth and meaning. We could learn a lot about how to pray from our children.

We teach our children the following prayer. What a simple prayer but the words are powerful.

A Child’s Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
Amen
Author Unknown

May we stop and pray the following prayer:

Lord may I stop and listen for You.
May I pray words full of life and meaning.
May I love my neighbor as myself.
May I learn to forgive as You have forgiven me.
May I take my Heavenly Father everywhere I go.
May I remember You gave Your only Son for my sins.
May I remember that You love me and want me to succeed.
May I look to you for guidance.
May I get up every morning seeking Your face and asking You to hold my hand and walk with me.
Amen

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The Fruits of the Spirit

The following is an excerpt from "Are You A Tree Yielding Fruit?

The Fruits of the Spirit

When love prevails, there will be no hate.
Agape love!
This is not the physical, the emotional, or the approval of affection we all want.
Do you give self-sacrificial love like Jesus?

Can there be chaos where there is peace?
Do you have inner peace?
There will be no wars of any kind physical or inner where peace lives.
Storms may arise; but if you are on the narrow path with God, peace will surround you.

Joy brings no sorrow.
We must repent from sin to have real joy.
God’s promises and spiritual realities are
full of joy.
This is a very special gift from God that helps you wither the trials and storms of life.

Long-suffering will last during irritating or uncontrollable circumstances.
Will you keep the unity of the Spirit?
Will you endure for love and peace?
Will you stand firm?

Gentleness brings kindness and self-control.
Are you good to others?
How hard is it for you to be kind to your enemies? Jesus showed kindness to all, even the ones who cried crucify him.

Where there is goodness there is no envy or strife.
Are we commanded to spread goodness?
Do you spread God’s goodness wherever you go?
Always look for the good in others!

Faith will stand when there is no unbelief.
How strong is your faith?
Do you have mustard seed faith?
Have you moved a mountain today?

Meekness calms the waters instead of creating a fierce storm.
Do you have a humble and gentle spirit?
Are you controlled by revenge and chaos?
God wants you to be gentle, submit to His Will and be kind to others.

Temperance has no wicked temptation or desire.
What desires or temptations can you not control?
Is it alcohol, pornography or just being rude to others?
To be an overcomer you must turn it over to God.

Jesus left us with the Fruits of the Spirit.
This is a guide on how to treat ourselves, our families, strangers, friends, and fellow Christians
What fruits do you lack?
Seek His guidance so you can develop and walk daily in the Fruits of the Spirit.

The Fruits will make you a better person.
Will you let your light shine for God?
Will you practice love, peace, joy, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
God needs warriors who are not ashamed to be like Jesus.

Please follow me on twitter @Brenda_Haley and on facebook at Chariot Works