WellWithMySoul

We have lots of family up in Washington including our two youngest sons and their families.  We'll definitely be keeping an eye on the weather up there and praying for you, LuAnne...as well as for all of our loved ones.  Our family members are on the other side of the Sound and farther south (Lacey, Dupont, Enumclaw, also Oak Harbor, and a couple of other little cities).  We also have two sets of friends in Shelton.  We just keep trusting our Lord, huh?

Thank you N.N., for your response to my question.  It was truly a very good response with applicable scripture that is encouraging to those experiencing similar situations.  Indeed, it was very encouraging to me as I have personally experienced such on more than one occasion.  The Lord has taught me and has helped me to understand how very important it is on my part to continue to be forgiving towards one who is embittered, and when in that one's company...to be kind, gracious, and loving regardless of the reaction.  It can be difficult to follow through at times, but it is helpful to remember the countless times our precious Lord Jesus Christ had...and continues to have...rejection and bitterness directed at Him.  Through these experiences the Lord has enlarged my heart with better understanding of His vast unchanging love, and He is the perfect ensample of how to respond to others who are harboring unsavory feelings towards me.

"...Toucheth the apple of his eye..." - I've been curious about this little phrase in the past.  Even though I tried to do a little study on it a long while ago, I've resigned to just knowing that it is an awe-filling thing to be thought of as the "apple of His eye"!  II Chron. 7:14 is another verse that has been a wonderful verse to hide in my heart, and Lev. 26 is  full of what I call "geometrical verses" because very clearly God has breathed several times "if and then".  "If" the people obeyed Him, "then" He would respond in like, and "if" they didn't obey, "then" He would respond accordingly.  I wonder if I would've done much better in geometry class had I made a scriptural application to it? Once again it's wonderful to see the very "complementary" connections of scripture that are posted in the study.  Yet again I express gratefulness for this study, Alan!

Wonderful!  What wonderful encouragement and comfort there is to us to this day in Micah 7:8!  His light and  His indwelling presence is so very powerful.  Of course I love the little chorus of Micah 6:8.  I also noticed and truly appreciated the little "phrases" about the "word of the Lord" in ch.'s 1:1 & 4:2....indeed, the Word of the Lord goes forth!  "The mountain of the house of the Lord" is yet another phrase that shall stick in my mind as we have climbed many a mountain in our area and have enjoyed so very much the views of beauty.  The last time we went up near the top of a mountain with friends in our UTV's and gazed both upwards and down, we enjoyed together the words to the song "How Great Thou Art"!  O to grow and be more and more transformed to His likeness that we might be able to see things more from His perspective.  Thank you again for the wonderful lesson!

What are some possible Godly responses for when a child of God is doing all they can to walk pleasing to the Lord, but is the "object" of bitterness from another believer?  When offenses have been scripturally dealt with yet bitterness remains, what would then glorify the Lord through the situation?

I wish I knew how to verbalize the heaviness of burden on my heart for Chantell.  I can't explain the tears that are rolling down my cheeks in abundance as I lift her up in prayer.  The only thing that I can say is that I am greatly feeling the presence and closeness of the blessed Spirit as I pray for her.  I don't understand the power of this burden, but I rejoice in how the Saviour can knit hearts together and He is not hindered whatsoever by distance or any other kind of barrier.  Truly my heart goes out to this precious lady.  God knows...Ps. 56:8.

I don't comment often either, but I will say that I love and appreciate how the Word speaks for itself!  Indeed, scripture interprets scripture, and Mr. Markle all of the cross-references that you bring out are wonderful!  The study questions are also thought-provoking and help to pave the way to understanding and learning.  The first thing I thought of in response to the first question was John 14:6, but I will delve deeper into more specific thoughts.  Thank you for the lessons!

Hosea!  Oh my, but the absolute love of God and the prophecies expressed through the prophet Hosea are such a glorious blessing.  Many years ago when we used to make the 160 mile round trip to church, the pastor there preached a message on Hosea.  I never forgot it!  It is hidden within my heart in a very profound way, and I love to share the overall love that is expressed in this short book of the Bible.  However in all honesty, I'm not very knowledgeable about the prophecies there, and so once again I truly appreciate how you brought them out and made the very "complementary" (and complimentary) connections.  I am learning a lot!  Thank you again for the great lesson.

My heart truly goes out to Chantell.  In the past I have tried to imagine what it would be like to become paralyzed, but sigh...I truly can't imagine how painful both physically and mentally it would be.  We will all need to continue in much prayer for her for a long time as she adjusts to her loss.  I shall pray that throughout it all, that she will be filled with that sweet, sweet peace that passes all of her understanding, and the warmth of the inner comfort that only our Lord can give.   In the long run, I hope that she will get to the place where she will know a joy that is beyond anything that she has ever experienced before, and be filled with the blessedness of our God's love that will be a grand source of strength.  Once again...I am so thankful for II Cor. 4:15-18, for it is very applicable for this situation. 

This last lesson is yet another great one!  There is so much to learn, but that keeps it very exciting.  Col. 3:23-25 are wonderful verses, and I'm so glad that you included them in the lesson.  Thank you, Alan...and I'm really looking forward to the portion of the study in Hosea.

Thank you to all of you that have prayed for me.  I went to the cardiologist yesterday...and I have to go back next week for an ultrasound.  I don't understand all of the medical terms, but I think that they are suspicious of "venous insuffiency".  At any rate, next week should be able to determine a diagnosis.  I also had my first physical therapy app. this morning, and it went well.  I keep quoting II Cor. 4:15-18 to myself...trusting that the Lord knows everything that I need, and He will supply in His time and way.  Oooooh how I do not want to waste any opportunity that the Lord gives me...to shine His love on to others....and to remember that He is indeed allowing these physical trials with gracious reasons!  Thank you again for praying for me, and I truly appreciate a continuation of prayers....not so much for my sake, but rather for those medical people or other patients that I come into contact with...that the Saviour's light might shine thru me to them!

I'm praising the Lord with awe and thanksgiving for responding so swifty to two specific prayers that I had prayed in the last three days.  However, I'd like to request  more prayer for two very dear and precious ladies that the Lord so wonderfully has put in my path to share God's love with.  Both ladies are in their early 70's...one goes to church (EV Free), and one got very soured as a child by an uncle who was a "baptist" preacher (sigh).  I shared the Gospel with one of the ladies (in writing) several years ago, and the Lord led me to share my  printed testimony (as posted here in OLB) with the other lady just a couple of months ago.  On Wednesday as I drove to the place that I do volunteer work, I prayed very specifically for the gal that works there and who was soured by her uncle.  Within just a few minutes of my arrival, this gal started sharing some personal things with me with tears.  She shared for probably over an hour.  I wasn't able to really respond to her other than to listen with compassion.  Then yesterday knowing that we were going to a certain restaurant that night, I prayed specifically for the other lady who is the owner of it (the one who goes to church).  Well...I'm still amazed, because as my husband played music with the ole-timers acoustic group...and I happened to be sitting alone, this gal came over and just started sharing personal things with me...with tears!  Wow!  What a privilege and blessing, but also awesome opportunities that the Lord granted me in response to my specific "that-day" prayers.  I desperately need wisdom and God's leading and help to give me all "utterance" to further share with both ladies in His timing...and that their hearts are being softened to see their need for the Saviour.  The one gal that goes to church...may be saved...but I don't know for sure (sad to say, it's difficult to tell what she's getting out of the EV Free church).  At any rate, the Lord is working and prayers for these ladies are pertinent!

In my situation...the "predator" was a family member that went to church, was a deacon, and a  youth leader - but he appeared to be the least likely "candidate" as a "predator".   Many of those who have been victims of abuse have a heightened sense of awareness, and can often sense abusers.  Such happened at our church.  A man and his two children attended our church for a time.  There was something about the man that made me feel uncomfortable, however...he was at church.  I did not act on my feelings, because feelings aren't always right or trustworthy.  This man and his teenage children quit attending our church after several months.  Just a few short years later this man was arrested, charged, and convicted of being a pedophile...and sentenced to prison for basically life.  Indeed, he was a predator!  We must all be careful to "...try the spirits to see if they be of God".  If one is growing and being progressively transformed more and more into the likeness of the Saviour, then that one will be more able to "sense" those that have evil lurking within regardless of the appearance of things.

Jim...now I have constant reminder to continue to lift you and all of the ones in your area up in prayer.  The smoke is now starting to roll into the valley, and where I can't see it...I can smell it.  Our winds usually come from the northwest and circle around the valley.  What a comforting thing it is to know that our God hears us when we pray according to His will (I John 5:14).  I know that  you are trusting Him, and so as you continue on thru this trial...I pray that He will grant you the sweetness of His peace.  'Ever praying...

Dear Rosie...I'm praying muchly for you!  We have wonderful Christian friends in Jacksonville, and also in the Milton area that we are praying for too.  There are so many weather-related things going on all over the world.  I truly hope that you will know the comfort, the confidence, and the reassurance of the Lord's presence as you endure thru this hurricane.  Bless your heart...I'm sure praying!!

Oh my, Jim!!  My heart is greatly burdened for you and for all of the others in your little town.  I'm glad that you have a travel trailer to stay in should you have to evacuate, and that you have at least some warning.  It has clouded over a bit here and it was much cooler today.  I'm not sure what the Lord has in mind for all of you....but it's such a reassuring and comforting thing to KNOW that HE has you in His mind!!  Once again, II Cor. 4:15 is encouraging...."For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."  'Not sure what all we can do to be of help, but we shall indeed be praying fervently!  Thank you for the update.  Praying.....and praying some more....

I truly appreciate how you've connected the Old Testament prophecies with the New Testament.  There is consistancy and harmony between them!  A few years ago when I was leading a ladies Bible study...with several ladies that had some rather "interesting beliefs" ...I introduced a "guideline" to help them have better scriptural understanding.  The guideline was basically that if any of them found any sort of contradiction in their studies....then they needed to pray and ask the Lord to clarify their understanding so that they would see and believe the beauty of consistancy in God's Word....that God never contradicts Himself.  Thank you again for bringing the harmony out from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

How are you doing with all of the smoke?  We are starting to see some of the smoke to the west of us.  Sigh...praying for y'all over there!

I've been keeping an eye on the fire incident reports concerning your fire over there.  It has been quite a long while since I've been over west of town, but if I remember rightly there are some really beautiful timbered areas there.  There can be some rugged "hills" in the Siskiyous making it difficult to get the fire contained....but I'm glad your little town is out of danger now.  I'm not "fond" of forest fires at all.  A little spiritual illustration came to mind about fires though.  Certain "environmental" groups and some agencies like to keep lots of the forests and wilderness areas "protected" and as natural as possible.  This reminds me of the many (including all of us at one time or another) that try to protect the "natural old man" keeping the "flesh" in tact, instead of  putting off the old....while also putting on the NEW!  It's wonderful that the Lord created so much beauty for us to enjoy, but we sure need to be good stewards of what He has made...including our hearts.  By not being good stewards of what He has given to us....isn't that akin to "fueling a fire"?  I'm sure that my thoughts can be verbalized much more eloquently than I've posted...but the principle is the same.  I will be thinking of and praying for the many folks effected by the fires near you. 

That is such a great question, Dave!  It is thought provoking to think about "what's in a name".   My husband was told many a time that he was named after the Timothy of the Bible.  He believed for a very long time that he should try to live up to Timothy's character, but alas...that was a faulty belief.  My folks badly wanted a son after having two daughters, but the Lord gave them me.  Hmm...not sure exactly what was in their minds, but they gave me an undoubtably male middle name.  As a child my dad used to introduce me as his "boy".  Well...without realizing it, as a little girl I tried to live up to that.  Wrong!  Praise God for His workmanship in creating me as a female...lol...I'm soooo glad for that!  In all honesty and growing more and more so, the only name that I want to "live up to", is my precious and dear Saviour's!  He is Whom I want to pattern my life after!  His name is so sweet!  Indeed, "Jesus....Jesus...O how sweet the name"!

Thank you all for your kind words!  They are encouraging to me, and knowing that there are others out there truly lifting me up in prayer helps to strengthen me!  Thank you for helping me in the bearing of my burdens...as we all cast these things up to our precious Lord in prayer.  What a blessing it is to me!

(Jim...the cardiologist I've been referred to is in Redding.  I don't have the appointment yet, as I am waiting for them to call to set that up.  Medford is twice the distance for us.  Thank you soooooo much for your gracious offer to help!)

I will try to keep y'all up on my status as I find out things.  I'm trying to be prepared for the "worst"-case scenario, but greatly hopeful for the best, but more so....determined to trust my beloved Lord and lean on Him with confidence knowing that He knows and will perform what is best.  "For all things are for your sakes..." (II Cor. 4:15a).  . He knows!

 I can only just smile and look to the Lord and continue to remember II Cor. 4:15-18!  Now I have been referred to a cardiologist who specializes in "venous" issues.  I am having a lot of new pain in my poor ole worn out feet.  There is a vein problem that is most likely the "culprit".  I need prayer as I deal with the pain, the distance I have to travel to see specialists, and mostly....that I would recognize and take advantage of any opportunities He gives to share the glorious news of God's love with all that I cross paths with!

I am ever so grateful for my God's grace!  His abundant grace!  Recently, the Lord helped me to hide in my heart II Cor. 4:15-18...speaking of His amazing and abundant grace.  Thank you so much for the lessons in Revelation!  Our God's grace is indeed proved all thru-out the book.  It's so exciting to learn about what is to come!  I look forward to the next lesson!

I'm not sure why except by the blessed Spirit, but after I read about this fellow...my eyes filled with tears.  I just absolutely love how the Lord works in and through His own to share His love and about salvation.  There are some of the most "unlikely" situations that tend to have such tremendous power!  What an encouragement it is in this sin-prevailing world to see and hear the desire and love to share the Gospel.  Thank you for sharing this situation, Wmccarthy99....and indeed, I shall lift this fellow up to the Lord in prayer!