Scripture Thursday ~ Light of the World

I am the light of the world.
He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness,
but have the light of life.  John 8:12b (NKJV)

I love to photograph God’s creation and usually my camera isn’t far from me.  Living in Maine, there is ample opportunity for beautiful photos.  One particular day I was visiting a cottage by the sea as the sun was going down.  I didn’t have my camera with me, but remembered I could use my phone to take pictures.

Breaking all the rules of photography, I pointed the phone directly towards the sun and started clicking.  I didn’t look at the pictures until later and when I saw the one below, I gasped. 

free for personal use or sharing

I’m not sure what you see in it, but I see Jesus as the light of the world, and thought right away of John 8:12, today’s verse.   Others have said they see a cross.  Either way this photo of God’s creation is a reminder that HE is indeed the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.  

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.   Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)

In heaven there is no need for light.

There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.  Revelation 22:5 (NKJV)


The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.  Revelation 22:23 (NKJV)

God refers to His word, the Bible as a light that guides us.   Another photo below that was a gift from God.  My husband taking in some of God's awesomeness with a path of light before him. 

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.  Psalm 119:105

The reason I have “Scripture Thursday” each week is to bring more awareness to the wonderful promises God has for us in his Word. The Bible is the best self-help book you could ever read. 

free png file for personal use or sharing

I can’t imagine my life without the Lord.  He’s been there for me time and time again.  He’s my rock, my fortress, my all in all.  If you’d like to know more about what God can do for you in your life, Proverbs 31 Ministries explains it well here: Do You Know Jesus?

I’ve written quite a few “Scripture Thursday” posts now, and they often get buried in my blog never to be seen again unless someone goes on a search.   I’ve had the idea for awhile now to put them all in one place on a blog page. 

So…. Drum roll…….

I’m VERY excited to show you the new page.  Which can be found at the top of my blog page or by clicking below.

SCRIPTURE THURSDAY  

I’m still working at getting all my posts added but here is a good number of them in order from newest – oldest.  If you’re new to my blog, you may want to look through the titles and see what jumps out at you to read.  

Thanks so much for visiting me.  I appreciate all of you and your comments.  If you don’t follow this blog via email and don’t want to miss a single devotion, or free graphic, you can click on this link to sign up.

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This post is linked to: Word Art Wednesday,   Monday Musings, Deep Roots at Home, Fellowship Fridays ,   Titus Tuesdays, Hearts4Home Whatever you want Wednesday Faith Filled Friday  Wholehearted Home

Vintage Fall Freebies for You

While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat,
Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.
Genesis 8:22 (NKJV)    

Hello my friends.  Fall is my favorite season.  I love the crispness in the air, the crunch of leaves underfoot,  the beautiful foliage and the quieter pace that this season brings.  What do you like best about fall? 

 

I have a few free fall graphics for you today.  I hope you enjoy them.  

 

Click on each graphic for a larger size, right click, and save to your computer.  

 

 

 

 

 

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Have a wonderful day.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog.    

 

Scripture Thursday ~ Day by Day

As your days, so shall your strength be.
Deuteronomy 33:25b   In the fall of 1832, in a rectory in Sweden, a baby girl named Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell was born.  She was ill as a child and spent much of her time with her father in his study, he was a pastor.  Little Lina as she became known, grew very close to her father.  When she was twenty six, she took a voyage at sea with him.  The boat lurched and he was pitched into the sea, drowning while she helplessly watched.  

Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell-Berg

Lina was heartbroken at the loss of her earthly father.  At this time, she drew closer to her heavenly father, and was inspired to write hymns.  Lina became known as the Fanny Crosby of Sweden, writing over 650 hymns.  In 1867 she married C.O. Berg, a merchant from Stockholm.  She continued to initial her hymns L.S. (Lina Sandell).

free scripture graphic

One of the hymns she was most well-known for was Day by Day.  I’m sure that a lifetime of ill health, coupled with the loss of her precious father, helped her form the words of this song.   Lina learned that God provided the strength she needed, Day by Day.  She didn’t need to look to the future, God was already there.  

This hymn, written about 150 years ago is timeless.  Such wisdom and comfort in words we can still apply to our lives today.  

Day by Day

Karolina W. Sandell-Berg

1865-1903

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find, to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best—

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

free vintage graphic

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,

He whose name is Counselor and Power;

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,

This the pledge to me He made.

free vintage graphic

Help me then, in every tribulation

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.

One day is enough to focus on.  If the day seems overwhelming, take a section of the day.  I have numerous friends in great trials right now.  One of these dear women clings to God’s promise in this passage of scripture:

But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD;

I say, “You are my God.”

My times are in Your hand;

Psalm 31:14-15a

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

This post is linked to: Word Art Wednesday,   Monday Musings, Deep Roots at Home, Fellowship Fridays , A Cherished Keeper, Titus Tuesdays, Hearts4Home Whatever you want Wednesday Faith Filled Friday
Wholehearted Home

Encouragement for Trials ~ Printable Quote

When God allows extraordinary trials for His people,
He prepares extraordinary comforts for them.

~ Corrie Ten Boom ~

free printable quote by Corrie Ten Boom

In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul.Psalm 94:19 NKJV

free vintage birthday postcard

I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4 NKJV 

free blank vintage postcard frame

Thanks for visiting here today my friends.  These graphics are free for you.  Click for a larger size, then right click, and save to your computer.


This post is linked to Anything Blue Friday,  

The Source of Your Money

Have you ever worried about the money you make or don’t make at your job, or your financial future? I’m sure we all have at one time or another. Our faith is usually put to the test when it comes to money.  

Compliments of The Feathered Nest

The world view of money offers security, control and power. Putting your trust in the world’s value systems is going to end up being a disappointment for you. 

God’s word tells us that we should trust Him for our needs and not worry about them. By focusing on our spiritual life, God promises to take care of our physical life, just as he cares for the birds. 

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?  Matthew 6:26-27 (NJKV)

free scripture graphic, click for larger size

If your heart is set on material possessions and the pride they bring you, or you spend your life trying to achieve them, you’ll be living in a state of persistent insecurity and depriving yourself of God’s spiritual blessings.  

Make God the first priority in your life. Don’t worry about a future you have no control over. There is no comparison to what the world has to offer vs. God’s treasures and blessings for us.  

Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund, is a timeless book written in the 1970’s. I found her thoughts on money very interesting, and had never thought of it from this perspective. She says:

Don’t associate work with money. 
The source of your money is never your job. 
The source of your money is God. 

He owns it, He distributes it,
and He has promised over and over
to take care of our physical needs.  

The life of faith demands we do His will first – before we concern ourselves with supply. In the Christian life it’s not seeing is believing, it’s believing is seeing. 

FIRST seek “His kingdom, and His righteousness” and after that “all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

When we work in obedience to Him, saying yes unreservedly before we see how, He will make it up in a thousand secret delightful ways. 

I write this post from the voice of experience. A number of years ago, I had to leave my job suddenly because of health problems. It was one of the biggest steps of faith I've ever had to take. God provided and met my needs in ways that I never expected or would have even thought of. 

It was a day by day, week by week and month by month process but He showed me that He was always there faithfully providing.

Thanks so much for stopping by today my friends. I hope this has caused you to reflect on God's provisions in your own life. Have a blessed week.


This post is linked to: Word Art Wednesday,   Monday Musings, Deep Roots at Home, Fellowship Fridays , A Cherished Keeper, Titus Tuesdays, Hearts4Home Whatever you want Wednesday
Faith Filled Friday

Vintage Bird Graphics

We are meddling with God's business
when we let all manner of imaginings loose,
predicting disaster,
contemplating possibilities
instead of following, one day at a time,
God's plain and simple pathway.

~ Elizabeth Elliot ~ 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)

The vintage bird graphic is from my collection of old paper.  I altered the colors to give you more choices.  They are free for you.  Click on each graphic for a larger size.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  ~ Abby ~ 

Source

Free Vintage Graphics

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an all-knowing God.
~ Corrie Ten Boom ~ 

Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)

vintage lace

The graphics in this post are free for you.  Click on each image for a larger size.  I hope you enjoy them.  Have a delightful day and thanks for stopping by Little Birdie Blessings. 

Scripture Thursday ~ Increased Strength

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
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.
Isaiah 40:28-29 (NKJV)

free graphic

I like the way this verse starts out ~ such an exuberant way to say YOU HAVEN’T HEARD that God never gets weary?  YOU DIDN'T KNOW he gives power to the weak?  YOU HAVEN'T HEARD the creator of this universe has time to care about you and your needs?  

We don’t know how He does it.  He tells us His ways are unsearchable.  We just have the faith that He does and will give us the strength we need to carry on through our trials and day to day tasks.

Free for personal use or sharing

A woman named Annie Johnson Flint (1866 – 1932) knew the meaning of this passage of scripture.    Annie lost both parents before the age of six, was adopted, and later in her teens afflicted with painful, crippling arthritis.  Her fingers became closed and rigid; it was even difficult to turn her head.  She took to writing poetry.  In one account I read, she used her knuckles to type out the words on a typewriter.  Another account tells how she painfully penned the words with her crippled hands.

Annie was known as the “poet of helpfulness”, and often gave her poetry as gifts to friends.  As her poems became more widely known, many were set to music.  He Giveth More Grace is one of my favorite hymns, Annie wrote this hymn from her personal experiences. 

The last thirty years of her life were spent bedridden and in pain, but Annie didn't let that stop her from continuing to do the Lord’s work that He had laid on her heart. 

Annie Flint

He Giveth More Grace
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Annie Johnson Flint (1866 – 1932)

Are you
tired
weary
burdened
struggling
afflicted
or exhausted? 

Cling to the words in this passage of scripture, and the words in this magnificent hymn.

God cares about you! Reach out to Him for help. He will increase your strength and sustain you.  

Thank you to Su at Starsunflower Studio for her free graphics which I used to make today's Scripture printable.

This post is linked to: Word Art Wednesday,   Monday Musings, Deep Roots at Home, Fellowship Fridays , A Cherished Keeper, Titus Tuesdays, Hearts4Home

Giveaway Winner Announced & Vintage Freebies

God has given us two hands ~
one to receive with and the other to give with.
We are not cisterns made for hoarding,

We are channels made for sharing.
~ Billy Graham ~ 

I had a wonderful birthday filled with blessings from family and friends.  Thank you all who left a comment.  You are certainly part of my blessings.

free VERY sweet Victorian Graphic
click for larger size

We have a winner from Saturday's giveaway. 

Jonia from Stampin For Me is the winner of the vintage lace and trim lot. 
Congratulations Jonia.  You were randomly selected as comment #9. 

I hope you have a wonderful week.  Don't forget to stop by each Thursday for "Scripture Thursday", a devotion and free printable based on a different scripture each week.  

If you enjoy the devotions or the free images, or both ~ feel free to sign up to be notified by email when I post. 

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free Victorian Graphic
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Thanks again for stopping by.  You are all very much appreciated.  I am not able to respond to all of your comments, but please be assured each and every one is read and treasured.  Have a delightful day.

Birthday & Blogiversary Giveaway

                                  It is more blessed to give than to receive.  Acts 20:35b

It's my birthday!   Since I love to give, I thought I'd offer a birthday giveaway.  Not only is it my birthday, but it's my blog two year anniversary this month.  How do you say that?  Blogiversary?

I'm so thankful of all my readers and followers, as well as all of you that take the time to comment or email.

I love this beautiful old postcard which I found over at The Graphics Fairy.  I've never seen anything like it.  I added a verse and birthday greeting to it.  Hope you enjoy it.  I'd have you all over for cake if I could, but since that's not possible, we'll just have to a cyber party, all dressed in our finery. 

 

click for larger size

Okay, now for the giveaway.  I've made a bundle of old lace, ribbon, seam binding, and edging for you.  One person will win this bundle of goodness.  If you'd like to win, and are a follower ~ leave me a comment on this post sometime before 11:00 PM,  EST, Saturday, September 1st.  One winner will be chosen randomly.  Be sure to either leave me your email in the comments, or check back here on Monday morning, when the winner will be announced.

Giveaway ~ Vintage Lace and other snippets of goodness

Here are a few birthday graphics for you.  Enjoy!

  

 

 

 

Thank you my friends.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend.