He Is...

I got this off of another website, I thought it is a powerful way of looking at who God is throughout all generations. These words are lyrics taken from songwriters Aaron Jeoffrey, a father-son duo.
Very neat!

Lord, YOU have been our refuge in every generation. Psalm 90:1

He Is

In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our high priest
In Numbers, the fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel's Guide
Joshua, He's salvation's choice
Judges, He's Israel's Guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He's the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah He is Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the call from sin
Daniel, the stranger in the fire
Hosea, the forever faithful
Joel, the spirit's power
Amos, the strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great missionary
Micah, the promise of peace
Nahum, our strength and shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai He restores that which was lost
IN Zachariah, He's our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
AND THAT'S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT

In Matthew Mark Luke and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the power of love
Galatians, freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servant's heart
Colossians, He's God and the trinity
Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting courage
In James, the one who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our faithful shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride

AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it's all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, son of Man, Lamb of God, The Great I am, Alpha and Omega, God and Savior He is Jesus Christ the Lord HE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED!

He is everything that we need and He is our refuge in every generation!

Ending My Day...

As I am seeking to end my day, it is Not quiet and still. At 8:35pm. I sit while Ava, Kayla, and Isabel are still awake-in bed...but awake! My 3yr. old, 1yr. old, and 12yr. old.!
I had plans tonight to have all the kids in bed at a decent hour tonight-which I did, but did not succeed fully. So why aren't they asleep?
Well, yes, I have my reasons...one being Isabel woke up after what I would call, "what should have been her afternoon nap", Ava...was screaming her head off because she is afraid of the dark, while Kayla is still awake because she is the oldest and has the privilege to stay up a tad longer than all the others. So???
I sit and post a little while everyone is trying to settle down in their beds...Sometimes though you have these great plans in place, yet they just don't seem to work out-but that is OK!! After praying and comforting it comes to that point where sometimes you must just roll with the punches, and this is one of them!
So I must wait a bit before things get real quiet once again...

Though quickly I did want to share...
I was encouraged by this devotional today and I end with these scriptures and notes in mind tonight...

Today’s Treasure: “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13).

You and I need nothing on this earth like more of the Holy Spirit. Do we need to love an unlovely person? Do we need extra patience? Could we use a little peace in the midst of chaos? Do we need to show an extra measure of kindness? Could anyone stand a little more faithfulness to God? Could anyone use a strong does of self-discipline? How about a heaping soulful of joy? Take a look at Galatians 5:22-23. They all come with the fullness of the Holy Spirit! You see, we don’t just need more patience. We need more of the Holy Spirit filling us and anointing us!

Now before anybody starts writing me letters, let me go on to explain. I realize the Holy Spirit is a person. When He comes into a believer’s life at salvation, He moves in personally. We believers have the Spirit, but the infinite Spirit of God continues to pour Himself into our lives. Any given day I may enjoy a greater portion of His Spirit from on high.

Does anyone need deep insight from God’s Word? An added measure of understanding? Anyone need the eyes of her heart enlightened to know the hope of her calling? Does anyone want to fulfill God’s eternal purposes for her life and think with the mind of Christ instead of the misleading mind of mortal flesh? All of these come with “more” of the Holy Spirit! (See 1 Corinthians 2.)

Child of God, don’t just absorb this truth! Get up and celebrate it! God gives His Spirit without measure! He has all that you need. Or more properly stated, He is that all you need. Our fulfillment and greatest joy are in the flooding of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives. He is how we understand God’s Word and will for our lives!

Here’s a good one: Could anyone use a sharper memory? Beloved, I could! Take a look at John 14:26. “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send you in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

The Holy Spirit is the blessed Reminder. Have you ever noticed we have a very sharp memory about destructive things, but a far duller memory over instructive things? We need more of the Holy Spirit! Recently I had to memorize lines for a Christmas pageant at our church. I had never done anything like that, and I was a nervous wreck. Because I knew John 14:26, instead of just asking God to help me with my lines, I asked Him to fill me with more of His Holy Spirit so the blessed Reminder would manifest Himself to me—and He did! He is your key to memorizing Scripture or retaining anything biblical. Take Him up on it!

What do you need most from the Holy Spirit? Are you actively praying for more of Him toward that end? Luke 11:13 implies that if we want the Holy Spirit to invade more and more of our lives, God wants us to ask Him for it!

Holy Spirit, I do need more of you in my life. Please invade every part of me with ever-increasing measure. Energize my speech, thought patterns, and actions. Please show me where I’m quenching Your Spirit and hindering Your work. Remind me to pray for more and more of You. In the holy name of Jesus, Amen.

God's Everlasting Love...

Our God is faithful, isn't He?

We have been doing I know, better than we deserve!! God is kindly healing my body day by day. Medication is working wonderfully still. I have been exercising faithfully, walking and running on the treadmill-I did 1.9 miles today. It felt so good. I am trying to work up to running the whole time but my body is not that strong yet. I used to run faithfully after I had Carson and then-well lets just say, I got pregnant and pregnant. I am realizing much more now, after having so many kids, the importance of being healthy and making sure I am taking good care of myself the best that I can for the Lord and for the sake of my family.
Also I am learning how to make the time to do that.
Yes, over time the Lord is revealing many new things in my life through all of this, one major scripture that He has so vividly placed in my heart is the assurance of His love for me as His daughter-His everlasting love...
(I love the simple truth that the Word says about 'Nothing can separate His children from His love, not even tribulation or distress.') What I thought was so neat...I looked up the word "distress" in the dictionary because that is what I have been diagnosed with-here is what the dictionary said:

1. To cause strain, anxiety, or suffering to.
1. Anxiety or mental suffering.
a. Severe strain resulting from exhaustion or an accident.
b. Acute physical discomfort. 2. great physical pain

Now here is what God's Word says!!!!

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be [8] against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [9] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

On a more serious note...A Little Encouragement

(Oh What a timely reminder and encouragement for me...I pray it is too for someone else!)

Drawing Near to God

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8)

The nearer we come to God, the more graciously will He reveal Himself to us. When the prodigal comes to his father, his father runs to meet him. When the wandering dove returns to the ark, Noah puts out his hand to pull her in unto him, When the tender wife seeks her husband's society, he comes to her on wings of love. Come then, dear friend, let us draw nigh to God who so graciously awaits us, yea, comes to meet us.

Did you ever notice that passage in Isaiah 58:9? There the Lord seems to put Himself at the disposal of His people, saying to them, "Here I am." As much as to say—"What have you to say to me? What can I do for you? I am waiting to bless you." How can we hesitate to draw near? God is nigh to forgive, to bless, to comfort, to help, to quicken, to deliver. Let it be the main point with us to get near to God. This done, all is done. If we draw near to others, they may before long grow weary of us and leave us; but if we seek the Lord alone, no change will come over His mind, but He will continue to come nearer and yet nearer to us by fuller and more joyful fellowship.

Fear Of Man

Wow this is a great post from Spurgeon! The fear of man has definitely been a battle for me in my life. How I have and still am constantly seeking to put this sin to death! Thankfully by God's grace, He has done a tremendous work and change in my heart and still is!!
Anyway, this quote truly ministered to me...

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Faith's Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

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December 20

Men as Men; God as God

I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? (Isaiah 51:12-13)

Let the text itself be taken as the portion for today. There is no need to enlarge upon it. Trembling one, read it, believe it, feed on it, and plead it before the Lord. He whom you fear is only a man after all; while He who promises to comfort you is God, your Maker, and the creator of heaven and earth. Infinite comfort more than covers a very limited danger.

"Where is the fury of the oppressor?" It is in the Lord's hand. It is only the fury of a dying creature; fury which will end as soon as the breath is gone from the nostril. Why, then, should we stand in awe of one who is as frail as ourselves? Let us not dishonor our God by making a god of puny man. We can make an idol of a man by rendering to him excessive fear as well as by paying him inordinate love. Let us treat men as men, and God as God; and then we shall go calmly on in the path of duty, fearing the Lord and fearing nobody else.

A Daily Dose Of Spurgeon

As I was reading this this morning, I thought this may encourage a soul, it did mine. I know there may be some who are walking through times of sorrow or discouragement. I pray this is an encouragement to you.

Faith's Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

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November 26

Heavenly Alchemy

Your sorrow shall be turned into joy. (John 16:20)

Their particular sorrow was the death and absence of their Lord, and it was turned into joy when He rose from the dead and showed Himself in their midst. All the sorrows of saints shall be thus transmuted, even the worst of them, which look as if they must forever remain fountains of bitterness.

Then the more sorrow, the more joy. If we have loads of sorrow, then the Lord's power will turn them into tons of joy. Then the bitterer the trouble the sweeter the pleasure: the swinging of the pendulum far to the left will cause it to go all the farther to the right. The remembrance of the grief shall heighten the flavor of the delight: we shall set the one in contrast with the other, and the brilliance of the diamond shall be the more clearly seen because of the black foil behind it.

Come, my heart, cheer up! In a little while I shall be as glad as I am now gloomy. Jesus tells me that by a heavenly alchemy my sorrow shall be turned into joy. I do not see how it is to be, but I believe it, and I begin to sing by way of anticipation. This depression of spirit is not for long; I shall soon be up among the happy ones who praise the Lord day and night, and there I shall sing of the mercy which delivered me out of great afflictions.

Do Not Grow Weary!!

Boy is it quiet, of course, it's 11:42, I should be in bed! What a fun day it was!! I was blessed to have such a great day with all my girls and my Mom. A girly day! We went to a really fun bookstore where they sell new and used books-called Wonderland Books in Hickory. A bookstore well recommended to explore!
Before we left, I told Carson my 3rd child, my little man, to come and sit on my lap while we were waiting to leave. I began to stroke his back, squeeze him tightly, (he was still able to breathe), and I told him how much I love him. At that moment, I was truly overcome by how much joy our children are to both Stefan and I. What a gift from the Lord!!!
After a few moments of our cuddles, we then had to depart and get on the road.
The trip began with a wonderful Chai Latte and vanilla iced frappuccinos!! Then it was off to Hickory. What wonderful conversations we had as we were enjoying our ride. On a more serious note, I was able to share with my Mom about the challenges of being a Mom. Lately there have been a number of things that have been happening in our lives. New baby, new move, Stefan in college (he is doing great, by the way, A student!!), and hopefully a new job soon. By God's grace the kids have been doing extremely well amidst the drastic changes. At times I know they grow weary and at times I do too.

Yet the Lord has been convicting my spirit to really start paying attention to my heart attitude, amidst these drastic changes, towards my kids. It is so easy to get caught up in what life brings that I am missing precious moments to minister to my children the love of Christ, by enjoying them as my children.
My Mom had encouraged me to remember that it's important and OK to pull away from the everyday routine, and to do something spontaneous once in a while with my children. Or plan a time to do something crazy/fun with them as a surprise. To give time to listen, talk, cuddle, play, and make memories. Oh how I need to really change in that area!! Before I had 5, I did find it a lot easier to do that. Don't get me wrong-I LOVE having 5!!!

I was reading through the girl talk blog for some practical and creative ideas on how to begin pursuing making memories with my children. I came across this post and was so encouraged. I was reminded of the scripture, "Let us not grow weary in doing good...." yes, but the rest of the scripture is what captures me even more. "For in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Isn't that neat? God has that perfect timing for when we will reap what we sow, but to enjoy this season of sowing and to be faithful to do that, (He will give the strength to be faithful too!)...it is a blessing and privilege to sow these seeds of 'good' into our little ones hearts and lives. He is sooo for us in loving our kids and teaching them good. That is so Cool!

Anyway, here is some of the post on girl talk.

During mothering weeks like these, I must reach out for the life preserver of God's Word to keep me afloat. A verse someone shared with me when Andrew (our oldest) was little has continued to sustain me through this intense season with three small boys. It's that well-known truth from Galatians 6:9: "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

I'm doing a lot of sowing right now. It's not harvest season. The harvest won't come today. And it won't come tomorrow. Not even next year. But I must simply be faithful to sow today. Faithful to train. Faithful to teach. Faithful to love. Or, as it says in this passage, faithful to "do good." And I must trust God that He will fulfill His promises. That I will reap a harvest in due season if I do not give up.

"Consider the day's duty as your privilege and pleasure."

This quote was sent to me yesterday from a friend, as an encouragement. What an encouragement it was and how timely of the Lord.
"Consider the day's duty as your privilege and pleasure."-Charles Spurgeon
How I have been so caught up in "my" daily duties lately that I do not consider the duties that God has given a gift or a privilege and definitely not pleasurable at moments.
Lately, we have had so much going on at once that I have been finding myself dashing from one thing to the next, one child to the next all day long, (feeling as though I have no time to really breathe), then it's off to bed.
I have not been seeking the Lord diligently for what my daily duties should be that day. I must seek Him (even throughout the day) to help remind me of what He has for me to do whether old or new that day-then the Lord helps me to view the daily duties as a privilege and pleasure when my eyes are on Him because I am doing it for His glory alone and not my own.
What a privilege and blessing it is to be a wife and mother of our 5 precious children. All to be done for the sake of the Gospel and Glory of God!!

Amazed at God's Goodness!

Yes, a lot is happening and has happened in the Dahl family the past couple of weeks...and more to come.
Tonight is the last night home before I go into the hospital for induction. As I was lying beside Ava as she was going to sleep, I began to get a little nervous about having our 5th child. I have never had that kind of feeling before giving birth I have always been relaxed about it. Yet, as I was softly caressing Ava's brow, I seemed to be overwhelmed by the #5! What is this baby going to be like? This is the last night or two before Kayla and Ava are the only 2 sisters-soon there will be 3! That seems like a big change for our family all of the sudden!
Due to having 4 kids, it isn't often that I sit and ponder over God's kindness in giving me children. Tonight there was a brief quiet and sweet moment the Lord gave, to help me remember that it is Him that has blessed me with children and that He has made each of our children unique. Not one is the same. He has made each one specifically for His purposes and glory. Also for the good of both Stefan and I! How I can so easily forget that amidst the busyness of training those little hearts.
I know that God has ordained the birth of our baby. I know His grace is there when we need.
I know that this baby will bring joy to hearts. All will be well...but what a neat way to be reminded of His goodness to our family!
Treasure your children!

Erika