Scripture Thursday ~ Strength Renewed

Compliments of A Haven for Vee

But they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Have you ever longed to be recharged?

We’re promised in God’s word if we're waiting, and trusting in Him; He will renew our strength.

God compares the renewed strength to wings of eagles. The Eagle is one of the strongest birds in the world. They have a wingspan of 5-7 feet, can expand and contract their wings and appear to be flying effortlessly, even in hurricane force winds.

Scripture Graphic ~ Free for Personal Use or Sharing
Click for larger size.

We all in one way or another can relate to this verse; when you feel like you’re running on empty, when the storms of life hit you and you just can’t go on.

God can become your power to renew, refresh, and recharge you.

Compliments of A Haven For Vee

I have clung to this verse many times throughout my life and am so thankful for this promise. I encourage you to memorize this, hide God’s word in your heart and you’ll take it with you wherever you go.

My friend Vee, who blogs at A Haven For Vee recently had the opportunity to photograph a bald eagle.  You can read about her experience in two of her posts.

Bald Eagle ~ A Haven for Vee

Isaiah 40 ~ A Haven for Vee

Thank you Vee for letting me use your amazing photos in today's Scripture Thursday.  A perfect fit.

Here is a scrapbook page I made some time ago featuring Isaiah 40:31, using stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs. 

I found some lyrics to a hymn I'd never heard of. 
Written by R. Deane Postlethwaite.   It seems to go well with today's theme. 

The care the eagle gives her young, safe in her lofty nest,
is like the tender love of God for us made manifest.

As when the time to venture comes, she stirs them out to flight,
so we are pressed to boldly try, to strive for daring height.

And if we flutter helplessly, as fledgling eagles fall,
beneath us lift God's mighty wings to bear us, one and all.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope this post has been an encouragement to you.  

This post is linked to:

Walking Redeemed  Fellowship Fridays,  What Joy is Mine, Hearts for Home Thursday, Encourage One Another, Word Art Wednesday,  A Sheltering Tree

Scripture Thursday ~ A HEART FOR PRAYER

 Then shall ye call upon me,
and ye shall go and pray unto me,
and I will hearken unto you. 
And ye shall seek me, and find me,
when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12-13

I have had it on my heart lately that more of my time needs to be spent in prayer.  Especially for my family, church family, and friends.  God puts people into our lives for a reason - some permanently such as family members, and others just for a season.   He wants us to make prayer a part of everyday life and wants us to pray for others, as well as ourselves.  I have stopped looking at my prayer life as a discipline and have asked God to give me a desire for prayer and a heart for prayer.    I recently heard mentioned in a Bible study, that we might be the only ones praying for our family and friends, and never thought of it from that perspective.  

How can we obtain a heart for prayer? 

By seeking God through his word, the Bible, and through prayer.                                   

….seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 
Deuteronomy 4:29

…..the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts, if thou seek him, he will be found of thee. 
1 Chronicles 28:9

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.  Psalm 119:2

….He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 
Hebrews 11:6

There’s a wonderful hymn written in the 1800’s titled SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER.  You can find more information about this at Wordwise Hymns.   Here’s the first verse.

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

There are countless verses on the subject of prayer.  The topic today merely touches the surface.  I’ll be seeking the Lord this week through prayer and asking for him to strengthen my desire to have a heart for prayer.  I’d love to hear from you if you’re going to join me in seeking this as well. 

12x12 Scrapbook Page I made for a previous Scripture Thursday

Bible Verse Thursday ~ This is the Day

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Every day is a gift, God’s gift to us. 

Everything He created is for our pleasure and enjoyment. 

Have you ever studied: 

the feathers of a peacock, 

with their majestic iridescent hues; 

 the colors in a rainbow; 

the bright red and orange glow of a sunset or sunrise; 

the hundreds of thousands of colorful flowers 

that are so fragrant and beautiful? 

 All these things and more are here for us.

The day I wrote this post, my husband and I visited an older couple in our church that had lost their son unexpectedly to illness. Within 48 hours of becoming ill, he was gone. 

Tomorrow is never promised. Each day is a gift from the Lord. Take time out each day to let the Lord know you are grateful for the day He’s given you, regardless of your circumstances be it sunshine or shadow. Spend time reflecting on what He’s given you in your friends, family and in His creation.

This is the day the Lord has made;

He calls the hours his own.

Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad,

Let praise surround the throne.

Hymn by Isaac Watts

My project is a digital 8x8 scrapbook page made using My Digital Studio from Stampin Up. I used free scripture WORDart from Karen at Papercraft Memories. Your challenge will be to make a project using this scripture or another scripture the follows the theme of rejoicing in the Lord. Karen has a lot to choose from on her site if you're looking for digital scriptures.

Ways you can participate:

• Visit the Christian Paper Craft Blog and add your project with the linky tool.  At the time I'm posting this there is a slight problem with the blog post over there, so check back if you don't see the post or linky tool.

• Add your project to online galleries such as Splitcoast Stampers using the keyword CPC-BVT124.

• If you are a member of Christian Paper Crafts, you can add your project to their gallery using the keyword BVT124.

There is no deadline, so please let me know if you participate, I'd love to see what you make.

I'm working on my 100 follower giveaway, so keep watching for that.  Assuming I'll eventually have 2 more followers.  Thanks to all  my faithful readers who leave comments and emails.  You all mean so much to me.  Have a wonderful day.

Linked with Brag on God Friday

Bible Verse Thursday ~ Perfect in Weakness

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:9-10

It just so happens that as I write this, it's my birthday (September).  A perfect time for me to reflect on this scripture and how the Lord has strengthened me at my weakest moments. I am not one who wants to dwell on myself. However, I feel the need to share why this particular verse speaks to me as it does. I have had multiple health problems for years. The most troubling is a neurological disorder which manifests itself every day with one symptom or another. Some days are particularly difficult and leave me emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted. I feel WEAK.

This scripture gives me a promise, that
HIS GRACE is SUFFICIENT for me. 

It’s enough!!
It’s the perfect amount.
HIS POWER is made PERFECT in weakness.

I could choose to resist God’s power on me and succumb to “woe is me” but I choose not to. We are not always responsible for our circumstances but we are responsible for how we react. No matter our trials, praise is possible. I reach out to Him for help, for strength and He NEVER fails me. He promises never to give me more than I can bear. I am strongest (through Him) when I am physically, emotionally and mentally the weakest. I am thankful to God for allowing me to have the various trials I’ve had over the years. I guarantee I wouldn’t be seeking him wholeheartedly, were it not for my physical infirmities.

 

free for personal use or sharing

Thanks for stopping by my friends, would love to hear what this scripture means to you if you'd like to share in the comment section.   I  hope you enjoy the digital scrapbook page I made for you. 

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, 

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

A friend recently brought to my attention a song titled Trust His Heart. Two sections of the lyrics stood out to me:

He sees the master plan; He holds the future in His hands.
And
We see the present clearly; He sees the first and the last.

Be assured that God is ALL knowing. He not only knows our future, He sees the BIG picture, the master plan. His ways are not our ways and circumstances will happen that we can’t understand. But HE understands, and that’s all we need. Our God, who spoke the universe into existence, cares about YOU. He knows the number of hairs on your head.

My friend’s 30-year-old son was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. As she has cared for him through surgery, and now chemotherapy and radiation, I see her faith in God unwavering and still growing stronger. She says: I don't know what is in our future but I do know that God does.

A favorite hymn of both my husband and myself is I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. Here’s the first verse and chorus of that hymn. If you’re not familiar with it, you’ll see why it’s a favorite.

I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine, for it's skies may turn to gray. I don't worry o'er the future, for I know what Jesus said, And today I'll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand.

scrapbook page I made using this verse

I hope you have a blessed day my friends.  Thanks for stopping by.