Bonnie J Martin

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God Will Help

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God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. Psalm 46:5

God is the ever-present help.

On this new day, before the sun is up, He is already helping. He didn’t stop last night. He is faithful. He knows what we need when we don’t.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, Hebrews 6:19

He keeps us in the midst of turmoil around us, He holds us in His steady grasp. He never forsakes us. If the world tries to convince you otherwise, it lies. Turn your back on the lies.

And look forward to what God has in front of you. Seek Him with all your heart and mind and you will find Him. He isn’t hard to find. Just look.

Opportunity

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“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

You know this verse. I know this verse. This verse is used to encourage anyone that may be struggling. It brings with it a sense of hope that God will see us through anything. And He will.

Have you studied the passage along with the verses before and after? I have but I come to it again and see some new stuff. Not that it wasn’t there before but a new day brings a new perspective.

Going back up the page to verse 10.

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Paul is rejoicing in the Lord greatly for the Philippians’ revived concern for him. Not that they didn’t have it before but there was something keeping them from displaying it. Maybe they had a headache. Or their car wouldn’t start. Perhaps there was a new series on Netflix they wanted to watch in its entirety and couldn’t make the time. Something kept them from showing concern for Paul, who had shared the gospel message and encouraged them in their walk with Christ. But they were finally showing him their concern.

This is what gets me. I know what he means when he says ‘you lacked opportunity.’ Opportunity is anything that keeps you from it. I allow too many opportunities to get in the way of other opportunities that may prove more worthy of my attention. Yes, I know, some things are out of my control and just can’t be helped! But in the other times what is my excuse?

Not that anyone depends on my concern but from the fellowship with God flows the need to share in others’ concerns. Finding and taking the opportunity to share in each other’s concerns because that is what being the body of Christ is all about. Standing shoulder to shoulder to support one another in life.

Then he shifts gears to let them know that he had learned contentment and that even if they didn’t show their concern he was still content. He is thankful for their concern but his position didn’t change without their attention. His source of contentment never left him.

“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:11-12‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

He wanted them to know he didn’t have wants not being met but was content. Having experienced both humble means and prosperity, he had learned a secret. Contentment. This is where verse 13 comes into the picture. After living through good and bad times, he wants them to know the source of his contentment no matter the circumstances.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

God had strengthened Paul through his walk with Him. Paul’s journey had been met with some tough circumstances but God saw him through. Not only the hard times but the good as well. God was more than enough to meet his needs and wants. Paul offers us the hope he had already lived and so have we who hold tightly to the continuance of His presence with us.

No matter the circumstances, we can find strength sufficient for the time from God. His provision is more than enough for every circumstance.

Have you experienced this first-hand? Will you encourage others by sharing a quick “Yes” letting us know that God provides for the needs of those who place their trust in Him?

Then go out and be certain to show concern for those in your life. Let them know of your concern. A quick word of encouragement or a kind gesture to remind someone that you care.

Enough

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What is enough? Is there a mathematical equation to quantify the perfect amount of enough? Just lost all my non-math people!

In my world of all things accounting, enough could be enough cash on hand to pay the bills. But then again it could be defined by the owner of the company determining if return on their investment is enough. It is subjective and based on each respective perception of enough.

“For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Luke 14:28

Some days I feel like there are not enough hours in the day. Not sure I would want anymore but I could use some extra hands to get more done. Can you relate? High demand on having enough time!

Then there is that demand of being enough. Measuring up to whatever anyone else thinks is enough of you. That definition is subjective as well. There is no absolute in a subjective opinion.

If I told you there is a perfect amount of enough, would you believe me?

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”  Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father ‘? John 14:8-9

And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.  And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.  Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.  “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.  Revelation 12:7-11

The only not enough that matters is the lack of strength Satan has over the believer. He is not enough. He could not face Michael and his angels in heaven. He definitely can not stand against Jesus.

Enough hung on a cross.

Enough blood contained in His body to cover the necessity of atonement for all sin.

Enough love for the whole world.

Enough compassion for every one.

Enough grace.

Enough mercy.

Enough peace.

Enough patience.

Enough forgiveness.

Enough of anything you could ever imagine. His enough fills the gaps of my insufficiency.

The demand of enough was met by an abundantly beyond Savior.

…Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…

Remember

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This is to remember.  Because honestly, I forget.  I can easily fall back into thinking junk and get myself into a mess.  If I write it out, I can return to these pages and remember. 

Remember to take every thought captive.

Remember to think on things that are true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and of good repute and excellent and worthy of praise.

Remember to practice.

That friend who says she has to learn the lesson before she can teach it, I get it. Experience is a good teacher.

Thanking God for many scars and for the opportunity to remember His goodness and grace this morning. How about you?

Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12

Samuel set up a stone to remember the Lord’s help.

How do you remember God’s goodness in your life?

Practice

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Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9

What do you practice? Music? Art? Sports? Profession? Shopping? Cooking Eating? Scouring Social Media? Precepts of God?

Evidence of practices consume us daily. Always running to the next practice, whatever that practice looks like. Do we all have some inner voice that pushes us to find our best selves in something? Is your practice bringing you peace?

Paul reminded the Philippians to practice those things they had ‘learned or received or heard from’ him. Do you know those things? I shared them yesterday. Go ahead and look.

To practice anything is to intentionally set your mind and body and heart to focus on that specific something you want. Do you want peace?

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

This practice can be done in the middle of all other practices. It just might make those other practices a little more pleasant. Let me know how it goes.

Take Every Thought Captive

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My open page fell on Philippians again this morning. In chapter 4, verse 9, Paul speaks of learning and receiving and hearing things. Those things I shared yesterday, specifically in verse 8: whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence, worthy of praise; those things caused me to think on another verse. So I flipped some pages.

2 Corinthians 10 shares about our thoughts in verse 5. Our thoughts can get us in trouble. Can you relate? In the verses just before, there is the reminder that ‘we do not war according to the flesh.’ God wants our mind and heart. So does Satan.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

A friend of mine makes it known when she teaches that she has had to learn the lesson before bringing it to others. I know what she means! Sometimes those lessons are hard and unpleasant. But on the other side of the lesson, as long as we use the weapons of warfare there is that peace that passes all understanding.

Ephesians 6

Taking every thought captive. When my mind wanders and becomes bogged down in some junk, the best thing I can do is ask some questions. I have to destroy speculations. I have to apply the knowledge of God against the junk that wants to clutter my mind and heart.

Is it true?

Is it honorable?

Is it right?

Is it pure?

Is it lovely?

Is it of good repute?

Is it excellent?

Is it worthy of praise?

God gave us His Son for our salvation. He gave us His Holy Spirit for living life this side of eternity. Constantly with us. Always ready to apply truth. Always on guard against the enemy of your soul. Are you alert to and aware of His Presence? Can you take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ?

I don’t know about you but I am a work in process. I pray that you and I can grow in our knowledge of God so that each moment of junk that causes us issues can be exterminated. So we can walk in the truth of God’s love.

Is there a practical way you find that helps you walk in truth? What is it that keeps you in His perfect peace? Will you share so that others can join you in that endeavor?

Whatever is True

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I have a small block of wood painted black with printed words tucked into a visible place in my closet. There is a framed collage covered in reminders from past writings of my own. There is a reminder that I am a daughter of the King.

Why do I tell you these things? Because of that message on that small block of wood. That message is where I land in my open page today.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:7-9

TRUE

HONORABLE

RIGHT

PURE

LOVELY

GOOD REPUTE

EXCELLENCE

WORTHY OF PRAISE

That little block of wood has become an excellence reminder for me to practice these things. I can become side-tracked too easily by junk that doesn’t belong in my mind and heart. Lately, I have been replacing that junk with this reminder. To think on things that are true. Consider that junk and ask if it is true. If it isn’t true, I can lay it down; it doesn’t belong to me. Keep moving. My heart and mind is guarded with peace.

Holding tightly to what is honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence, worthy of praise. All of which, leads to that peace.

As you read each of those words, consider something in your life that you can apply each term. What do you need to remember today? Pick one and practice it. Pick another tomorrow, returning to previous terms and continue practicing.

Our relationship with God is just that; a relationship. He wants to be recognized by you on a moment by moment basis. No different than how your children or parents or friends are constantly in the thoughts you carry everywhere, more so is God. Only if you have a relationship with Him.

It doesn’t make everything bad in the world go away but it does shift my perspective and allows me to realign my focus. Thinking on these truths brings me into fellowship with my Creator.

Is there one here that resonates with you? Would you share?

The Open Page in Front of Me

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This open page is where I land this morning. If you followed along yesterday, you saw the same page. You can’t rush this. I started this book, Philippians, at some point in the past, laid it down, and have picked it backup. Do you find yourself doing the same thing?

It isn’t that these verses don’t hold my attention. Unfortunately, for me, I allow other things to jump in front of them. Sometimes it isn’t too unfortunate because it takes me to another set of verses and I become immersed in those. Immersion isn’t a bad thing when it comes to sinking into scripture.

You see my markings? I don’t claim to be a Bible scholar, although, I suppose anyone who studies the Bible could be considered a Bible scholar. I know far too little about it. I want to know more. So those markings are there to help me sink in and absorb the truths contained in these passages.

This particular Bible is called “The New Inductive Study Bible.” Within these pages, each book begins with instructions for study. There is no commentary in this Bible as you may find in others. There is a brief introduction along with the instructions. The instructions are suggestions for studying the specific passage in front of you.

I purchased this Bible at a Christmas Luncheon in Columbus, Georgia many years ago. Kay Arthur spoke at this luncheon and the ministry that she co-founded was represented. Precept exists to spread the gospel. You can find a plethora of Bible studies on their website. Go explore it!

As for this passage in front of me, pick a verse, any verse. Ask God to open your heart and mind to the Holy Spirit, if you are a believer. Read the verse. Read the verses preceding that verse. Read the verses following that verse. Read them again. Look at the words. Hear the voice of the writer. See the truths. Apply them to your life. Easier said than done? No. Do it.

Each time I open a page, I see something new.

If you aren’t a believer, go to Romans. Read and re-read the entire book. Then read it again. God, the Creator, gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to save you from hell. Hell is real. And it isn’t the worse thing you can imagine on earth. It is worse. How do I know? Because the wrath of God is promised for those that do not believe and follow Him. Read Romans and the rest of the Bible. Go to Revelation.

I’ll share more another time. Sit here for a while with an open page of your own.

I’m Up

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After taking care of necessities, I tiptoe to my kitchen. Coffee is next on my agenda. Yes, I am addicted to coffee. Yes, I am addicted to holding my warm mug of energy in my aging hands, finding comfort for some aches there. The warm liquid and I sit for a while before I have to really get going.

Purchased this little treasure from a little shop in Tennessee.

During that precious early morning time, with coffee mug in hand, I head to my office. This is a multi-purpose space. I spend quite a bit of time in this space.

Sweat drops of work cover this monstrosity.

The elephant in the room is the treadmill. There is a lot of history with that treadmill. It has been used by everyone in my household. It has stood the test of ten years of use. I used that treadmill during my training for my one and only half-marathon. Each one that gets on that treadmill has music in their ears. Mine happens to be Christian music. But I digress. Let’s get back to the rest of the room.

Go see Marian and Ned at http://www.dixiedreamsfarms.com/ for all kinds of soap, teas, spices, herbs, plants, friendship…..

Aloe plants line the top shelf of a bookcase. My husband would love for me to get rid of all the plants that I have collected over the years. We won’t talk about my back porch! These aloe plants have provided relief from my injuries sustained while attempting to cook. They bring life to the room. Yes, you are supposed to laugh.

I won’t show you everything but give you a quick list of stuff in this small space. It is a converted porch made sunroom. Filing cabinets. Shelves on the wall hold my small library. An old wooden desk that weighs as much as an elephant. A tall table I use as a desk for my computer work space. Two chairs and a rolling chair I use at my desk. Two walls of windows. A toy chest. Exercise stuff laden with dust. Pictures of my family. And most importantly, this is the room where Bible sits close by my work space.

I will share more later. Time to get ready for the rest of my day. Have a great day!

Good morning

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Hello.  What are you up to today?  Really!  What is on your agenda today?  What was the first thing on your mind when you opened your eyes this morning?  Or even before you opened your eyes?  Tell me in the comments.

My brain started waking up about an hour before my alarm was scheduled to sound.  That isn’t unusual for me.  I turned it off, knowing I wouldn’t go back to sleep.  But I stayed put.  I drifted in and out of consciousness until 30 minutes after it was to sound.  Once again, normal. 

I don’t stay put every day.  Some mornings I get up intentionally early.  (Like before the alarm sounds even when the alarm is set for an hour earlier than what I really need.)  These early mornings help me get ready for the day.

Tell me about your morning.