June Caedmon's Blog, page 52

Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,

Playdates with God, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,

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Published on October 07, 2015 05:00

Inspired by . . . Day 6: His Character, Good

God is good.

All the time.

All the time, God is good.

Do you believe this, Beloved?

No, really. Deep down in your heart of hearts where you speak truth to yourself, do you believe that God is good? All the time?

Because if you don’t, it will taint your entire relationship with Him. Having a cynical view of God’s goodness will affect how you pray, how you worship, and how you live.

I know because I fight this battle constantly.

Oh, I know God CAN work all things for good - - but do I believe He WILL ?

The enemy doesn’t so much mind us believing God is Mighty and Powerful, but he really doesn’t want us to believe that God is good.

So he will gleefully point out where God has “failed us”, without reminding us of this truth: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.” Isa 55:8

The truth, Beloved, is that God is the embodiment of perfect goodness, and is kind, benevolent, and full of goodwill toward all of His creation.

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.

You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes.

The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep Your precepts;

their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in Your law.

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.

The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Psa 119:67-72

Sometimes it is the trial in life that saves us.

Lord, we acknowledge that You are good.

All the time.

We believe this with all our hearts.

Lord, help our unbelief.

We trust You with all our hearts,

and claim Your promise to direct our lives along

straight paths.

In Jesus name,

Amen,

Sharing inspiration here:

Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers,

Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,

#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,

Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,

Playdates with God, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,

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Published on October 06, 2015 05:00

Inspired by . . . Day 5: His Character, Omnipotent

God is omnipotent.

This means God is all-powerful. He spoke all things into being, and all things - every cell, every breath, every thought - are sustained by Him.

There is nothing too difficult for Him to accomplish.

Omnipotent the Greek is:

παντοκράτωρ
pantokratōr
pan-tok-rat'-ore
the all ruling, that is, God (as absolute and universal sovereign): - Almighty, Omnipotent.

"I am the LORD, the God of all people. Nothing is too difficult for Me. Jer 32:27

We’re only four days into our study of the names and attributes of God and already we’re seeing a pattern emerge. A beautiful Truth about our Lord.

Do you see it, Beloved?

Yesterday we saw that God is infinite - without limits. Today we see that He is omnipotent, nothing is too difficult for Him.

Nothing, Beloved.

Nothing is too difficult for Him, because all things {all people} are sustained by Him. All things {all people} are under His care. This means YOU, Beloved.

The challenge for me so far in this #write31days has been to not write too much! There is scripture after scripture that I could share with you, expounding on the omnipotence of our Lord.

But the truth is that you must believe these Truths for yourself.

No, our minds can’t fully comprehend the depth of His omnipotence, but that is where our faith comes in, as defined in Hebrews 11:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

We accept the Truth about God and then act, living our lives by faith.

This is the scene that greeted me when I looked out my window this morning.

I know without a doubt that God painted every line.

Life is far from perfect. And today, there will be challenges and hurts. But because He cares enough to paint the colors of the sunrise, we can rest assured that every moment of our life, every breath, every thought, is being sustained by Him.

But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel:

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

.and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you. Isa 43:1-2

***

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Rev 19:6

***

Lord God omnipotent, all-powerful, all-sustaining,

we come before You today, believing You are Who You say You are.

We claim Your promise of redemption and protection over our lives.

In Jesus name we pray,

Amen,

Sharing inspiration here:

Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers,

Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,

#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,

Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,

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Published on October 05, 2015 06:12

Inspired by . . . Day 4: His Character, Infinite

God is infinite.

Today were focusing on God’s character, rather than a specific name of God.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! Rom 11:33

The Greek word used here for unsearchable is ἀνεξερεύνητος / anexereunētos / an-ex-er-yoo'-nay-tos, the negative form of searched out, meaning inscrutable, unsearchable. The Greek word for past finding out is similar, ἀνεξιχνίαστος / anexichniastos / an-ex-ikh-nee'-as-tos, and also a negative form, not tracked out, meaning untraceable, unsearchable.

Scripture clearly teaches the infinite nature of God. We all know how the story begins, In the beginning God . . . . (Gen 1:1) God existed before He created heaven and earth.

In Colossians, Paul tells us that God {Jesus} existed before all things, and all things are held together in Him. (Col 1:17)

God is beyond measure. He has no beginning, no end, and no limits.

No limits, Beloved.

Take that truth into your heart today.

There are no limits to what God can do. No limits to whom He can save. No limits to Whom He will bless, equip, provide for, etc.

Whatever your need, it is not, nor could it ever be, outside the limits of God’s power to address.

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. Joh 3:35

The trials in our lives can sometimes overwhelm us. We forget, or begin to doubt, Who God is and what He has promised to do. Reading through the last few chapters of Job is a good way to put things back into perspective.

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations?

Tell Me, if you know and understand.

Who fixed its dimensions? Surely you know! Job 38:4-5

No, we don’t know. But God does and we can trust Him in all things.

***

Lord, Your ways are not our ways, Your thoughts are not our thoughts.

You have no beginning, and no end. You are unsearchable.

And yet, You have

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Published on October 04, 2015 05:00

Inspired by . . . Day 3: His Name, Jehovah-M’Kaddesh

Jehovah-mekoddishkem

The God who sanctifies.

qâdash
kaw-dash'
A primitive root; to be made clean (ceremonially or morally): - appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self)

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

And ye shall keep My statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you. Lev 20:7-8

A God separate from all that is evil requires His people to be cleansed from all evil.

Oh, how we need this sanctifying power of God in our world, in our very lives today!

Playdates with God, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,

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Published on October 03, 2015 07:37

Inspired by . . . Day 2: His Name, YHWH

Yahweh (YHWH), Jehovah

We begin with His name that identifies the Lord to us as a Person.

yehôvâh
yeh-ho-vaw'
(the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: - Jehovah, the Lord.

Derived from the root:

hâyâh
haw-yaw'
A primitive root; to exist, that is, be or become, come to pass

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them,

The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me,

What is His name? what shall I say unto them?

And God said unto Moses,

I AM THAT I AM: and He said,

Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Exo 3:13-14

In most Bibles YHWH, is translated by writing LORD, in all capital letters. It is found more than 6,000 times in the Old Testament. As we discussed before, God’s name is holy, and His word warns us about taking His name in vain. (Lev 24:16) The name of God was so sacred to the ancient Jewish scribes that they used a special pen to write the name of God when they reproduced the scriptures. Each time they came to His name, they would set down their regular pen and pick up a holy pen that was used only to write God’s name. After saying a prayer, they would write His name with the holy pen, then pick up their regular pen and resume writing.

I have to admit, this is a pet peeve of mine. I cringe when I see people write God with a little g. I always change the first letter of pronouns that refer to Him so that they are capitalized. I realize not all biblical translations even do this, but it is one small way that I show my reverence for His name.

Tomorrow we will begin looking at the compounds of Yahweh used in scripture. Strictly speaking, these compounds are designations or titles which reveal additional facts about God’s character.

God is Jehovah. The name of the independent, self-complete being - - “I AM THAT I AM” - - only belongs to Jehovah God.

Our proper response to Him is to fall down in reverence and awe of the One Who possesses all authority.

Jehovah, Lord, we kneel before You today with reverence for Your holy name.

You possess authority over all creation, including the enemy of our souls.

We submit all to Your authority today, and trust that You will defeat our

strongholds according to Your perfect will.

We praise You for Who You are -

I AM THAT I AM

The one, true God.

It is in Jesus name we pray,

Amen,

Sharing inspiration here:

Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers,

Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,

#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,

Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,

Playdates with God, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,

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Published on October 02, 2015 06:35

Inspired by . . . 31 Days - His Name

And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You,

O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psa 9:10

Tucked into the sleeve of my bible cover is a well-worn bookmark. I’ve had it for years, and I go to it again and again. Just as I go to my bible.

Seeking Him. Longing to know Him more.

This bookmark, put out by Precept Ministries, opens to reveal seventeen names of God.

Seeing His name, written, speaking His name, aloud, brings Him closer and draws me into worship.

There is power in His name.

Power to heal. (James 5:14)

Power to bless. (Mark 11:9)

Power to save. (Psalm 116:4; Rom 10:13)

His name is hallowed. Holy. (Mat 6:9)

It is not to be uttered in vain contempt. (Exo 20:7)

God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. {Joh 4:24} He is infinitely far above our ability to fully understand. Yet, He graciously reveals Himself to us through His word. And it is through His names and descriptions (attributes) of Himself, revealed in scripture, that we can more fully know Him.

For the next 31 days, we will be searching the scriptures for the specific truths that God has revealed about Himself.

These truths will be offered here as a guide to help enrich your time spent with Him.

We will worship God together, focusing on Him and His character!

Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to us in Your word. We know that You will never forsake those who seek You.

Enlighten us, Lord. Open our hearts and minds to understand You more fully. In Jesus name, Amen.

Blessings,

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Sharing inspiration here:

Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers,

Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,

#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,

Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,

Playdates with God, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,

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Published on October 01, 2015 05:00

Inspired by . . . a month in photos: September

And so goes September.

Summer’s sultry fingers begin to loosen their grip, and we find a welcome coolness breathing down from the north. It coats our mornings with dew and our evenings with relief. But the days still belong to summer, at least for another week or two.

September was, for me, a breath held. A waiting.

In anxious hope of what October will bring.

But first, a look back . . .

My favorite photo:

Favorite quote:

In a world full of people who couldn’t care less,

be someone who couldn’t care more. ~Author Unknown

Sprinklings of His mercy and grace:

1. My sweet nephew, now 6 weeks old is up to 5lbs, and growing strong!

2. The blessing of much needed rain

3. His strength when I am weary

4. Restored health

5. Little blessings that remind us we are Known

And now a look ahead!

I’m so excited to be joining hundreds of other bloggers in the #write31days challenge for the month of October! You can find the link up here: #write31days

If you plan to participate, please comment below and let me know. Even if you don’t plan on writing, there are plenty of great topics and blogs to follow throughout the month of October.

I hope to see you back here tomorrow, as we kick off 31 Days Praying the Names and Attributes of God!

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:

Mona’s Picturesque

Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers,

Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,

#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,

Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,

#GiveMeGrace, Still Saturday, Life thru the Lens, Through My Lens

Playdates with God, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,

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Published on September 30, 2015 02:48

Inspired by . . . word craft

It’s been a long time since I’ve talked about The Books here on the blog. Over a year, in fact. Many of you may not even know that I’ve written a book, let alone seven of them. Life has a way of rearranging your priorities for you sometimes. Besides writing here on the blog, the book writing has taken a backseat to family and other responsibilities.

“I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast.

And when I run I feel His pleasure.” ~Eric Liddell

I’m not saying God made me a great writer, like He made Eric Liddell a great runner, but when I am writing, either here for the blog, or on one of the many stories God has given me, I feel His pleasure. I know, without a doubt, that it is God’s will for me to write.

Knowing God’s will for your life is one thing, doing it is quite another.

My sweet man and I are working toward the goal of freeing up more of my time for writing. And I have goals when it comes to the individual books as well. But right now those goals are moving targets. That’s why you don’t find me making announcements and projecting release dates here on the blog. If/when I set a date it’s going to be one I can stick to, a promise I can fulfill, both to myself and to my readers.

In the meantime, for those of you who are interested, here is a recap of what is available, and what’s in the works:

Available now:

Starflower, contemporary Christian Fiction Heart’s Desire, historical Christian Fiction Gladness for Mourning, historical Christian Fiction

In the works:

No Tomorrow, contemporary Christian Fiction (Pacific Gem Series, Book One)

(I’m considering releasing this as a six-part eBook mini series - what do you think?)

Gladness for Mourning - eBook version

Pearl of Great Price, contemporary Christian Fiction, two-book saga

Unmerited Favor, contemporary Christian Fiction (Friends of Faith Series, Book One)

So there they are. The seven. All complete, save for the editing on the last three.

I won’t go so far as to say the writing is the easy part, but it is my JOY. The rest is the hard part. Finding an editor, promoting the books, and dealing with the publishers. The “tooting of one’s horn” so to speak. The selling/marketing. Pure torture. So for now I’m leaving that up to my fearless agent, Jonathan Graham, and God’s timing.

And I’m praying for more time to focus on the writing, and getting the stories into the hands of the people who need to read them.

Maybe that’s you?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:

Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers,

Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,

#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,

#GiveMeGrace, Still Saturday

Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,’'