Waiting On The Lord

April 10, 2017April 10, 2017 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden ~ 2 Comments

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. ~ Revelation 3:20

When Miss Phee, our little Yorky, was a puppy, she would sit up on the edge of our bed every morning the minute she heard my
husband Mark in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
She loved to eat breakfast with him. Mark would feed Miss Phee bits of his oatmeal while he ate his breakfast. Our dog loved this special treat and the time they shared together.

Most of the time, Miss Phee would sit quietly on the edge of our bed and wait patiently, trusting that any minute Mark would come for her. Every so often if he didn’t show up soon enough, she would start whining ever so softly.

My little dog was not worried about annoying me, mind you. No, Miss Phee’s chief concern was that I might wake up and horn in on her private breakfast with her daddy. Ha! 🙂

Sooner or later Mark always came to reward her faith in him by gathering her up in his arms and carrying her to the kitchen for their special meal together.

Sometimes though, Mark would be running late and had to rush off to work without his breakfast. That meant no special Breakfast time with Phee. Somehow it was just not the same when I fed her breakfast, so whenever she couldn’t have her special breakfast time with Mark she would pout for the rest of the day and refuse to eat. 😦

I think of the parallels between Miss Phee’s morning meals with Mark and our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that we must abide in him and spend time with God each day
in worship and prayer.

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Abiding in Christ is the same as eating at our Lord’s table, feeding on His word and allowing his Holy Spirit to teach us His wisdom and truth.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” ~Matthew 4:4

Even as Miss Phee wanted Mark all to herself in her morning quiet time with him, the Lord wants us to come to Him without any distractions. He wants us all to Himself, coming into His Presence without our cell phones, IPads, IPods, or video games, novels, or our work on our minds or whatever distracts us from His heart.

Anything that takes God’s place in our hearts is a rival for God for our affections and is an idol.

That thing might be something that seems so innocent and even good, like our job, a hobby, or even our ministry. But if it takes our time and attention away from God, and replaces our affection for God in our hearts, it is an idol.

Examine me, God! Look at my heart!
Put me to the test! Know my anxious thoughts!
Look to see if there is any idolatrous way in me,
Then lead me on the eternal path! ~ Psalm 139:23-24 (CEB)

We draw closer to Christ and abide in Him through regular times of worship, prayer, and bible study. Often in those times, we must wait on God as Miss Phee waited for Mark to come get her each morning. We must learn to wait in faith on God by abiding steadfastly in prayer and worship.

There may be seasons in our journey with the Lord when God seems distant. We may feel as if He is ignoring us when things we’ve prayed over for months or years go unanswered without the slightest ray of hope that things will ever change.

At all times God asks that we trust Him and wait and walk by faith, just as little Miss Phee always waited in eager expectation for Mark to come for her, so certain that he would come. Even though he was sometimes delayed, she never stopped believing and hoping the next day that he would come for her. She was absolutely confident that he would not forget about her, would not disappoint her faith in him. And eventually he did show up again~just like she hoped and believed!
I always thought, if only I had the faith and trust of my little Yorkie!

Psalm 130:5-6 “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.”

We must be still before the Lord, contemplating His mercy and majesty, as we come to Him in faith, believing that we will receive what we need from Him in prayer.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (NIV)

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV)

God is our creator, He is omnipotent, meaning He is all-powerful. He is in control
of all things.
God is omniscient: He knows all things, He knows all about us, He knows all our
needs before we even ask.
God is omnipresent: He is everywhere present. Wherever we are, God is there.
And by His spirit, God lives and dwells within us.

God cherishes us, He cares very much about us. God feels all of our pain, since He
indwells us through His Holy Spirit.
God wants to share life with us. He says in the book of Revelation, “Behold
I stand at the door and knock; if any one will open the door I will come in and I will
share a meal with him. “

Just as Miss Phee and Mark would share a meal and have their special time
together, God wants to have a special time with us every day, He wants us to be
excited about it just as Miss Phee was excited about her time alone with her daddy.

God will never fail us. He

delights in our fellowship. It is sacred to Him. May it be as sacred to us.

For it is a great honor to worship and serve the Sovereign Lord of the Universe.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23

Prayer
Heavenly Father, please give us hearts that delight in worshiping and serving You.
May You give us hearts that will wait on You in faith and that will love You with all of our being, thank you, Lord, in Jesus name, amen.

Angelsong © 2017 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. Original Photos of Miss Phee & Mark from Suzanne Harden’s Photos/ Illustration of Jesus Knocking via Google/ Scripture Quotations: King James Version (Public Domain), Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Make A Joyful Noise

February 20, 2017 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

Make A Joyful Noise

In my painting “Make A Joyful Noise” the flute player’s hands are large, and seem clumsy as she plays her instrument.

In God’s word, the Psalmist tells us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. It does not matter whether we are talented singers or musicians.

He just says, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord…” Psalm 100:1

God loves each of us. He created us to worship Him just as we are with whatever skills and talents we have.

It brings God joy when we accept ourselves for who He created us to be. We honor Him when we don’t compare ourselves with others. We may feel clumsy and awkward, as if we don’t measure up in some way, but God says, “Make a joyful noise!”

Jesus said, “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.” ~Matthew 5:5 (The Message Bible)

In my painting, the Flute Player is playing her flute anyway, even though she seems unsure, unsteady, with her large awkward hands.

Sometimes God will ask us to do something that we don’t feel we have the right skills for, are incompetent to do, or that we might fail in.

Yet God asks us to trust Him anyway, to walk by faith. “For we walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

He asks us to believe His word that says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

He asks us to trust in the power of His grace to help us with every challenge.

Each one of us are very important to God’s plan, though we might not realize our importance to God this side of eternity.

We may feel awkward, unsteady and clumsy like the flute player in my painting. But we must walk by faith, trust God, and obey Him, and do whatever He asks of us anyway.

For in the end, He will make a lovely song out of our joyful noise we have made unto Him whether or not we were competent in the thing He called us to do.

For God does not base His calling on our talents, skills, or appearances. All He asks is a willing, humble and faithful heart.

Jesus said, “You did not choose me. I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit—fruit that will last.” John 15:16

May it be our prayer to have a willing, faithful heart that will humbly obey the Lord, no matter what He asks of us each day.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of my life, and that You created me to be just exactly the way You wanted me, and that when I am myself, I glorify You. Thank You that I bring You great joy when I am satisfied with who You created me to be and believe all the wonderful things that You say about me and not listen to doubts and fears. I love You, Lord! In Jesus name, amen.

“Make A Joyful Noise” Original Fine Art Print Is Available in my Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/257925019/original-art-print-make-a-joyful-noise

“Make A Joyful Noise” © 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Angelsong ©2017 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. Scripture References: King James Version Bible/The Message Bible: Copyright 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson All Rights Reserved./ New King James Version © 1982 Thomas Nelson All Rights Reserved. / New International Version Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Our God Is Coming

October 29, 2016 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

OUR GOD IS COMING

Our God Is Coming!

Soon our God is coming

Oh see the Holy One!

The Alpha and Omega,

Christ, God’s only Son.

His glory covers the heavens

His praise fills all the earth

The stars all bow before Him

Who made the universe.

Light shines all around Him,

He wears a robe of stars;

His hand is full of power~

Our everlasting God.

He is the Lord Almighty

Who loves all that He made

He’s coming back for His redeemed;

For all the souls He saved.

The Alpha and Omega

Who rides the Heavenlies

He’s coming back to claim His own

For all eternity.

Jesus said, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:42

maranatha (1 Cor. 16:22)

Maranatha consists of two Aramean words, Maran’athah, meaning, “our Lord comes,” or is “coming.” Maranatha was a greeting often used by believers in the early Church who eagerly watched for and awaited the return of their Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. The Lord admonishes His disciples to watch and wait for His return in many of His parables and sayings. We are to always abide in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be ever watching for His return. The apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1-3,

“ If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (ESV)

Jesus said to His disciples that wherever are treasure is there are hearts would be also. (Matthew 6:21)

If Jesus is our treasure, then our eyes and our hearts will be on Him and we will be abiding in Him regularly. (John 15:4)

PRAYER

Heavenly Abba Father, please draw our hearts ever closer to You and to our Savior Jesus. Help us to abide always in Thy word, and fill us more and more with Thy Holy Spirit. May we always be ready and watching for the day when Thy Son returns, for no one but You, Abba Father, knows that day, nor the hour. In Jesus’ holy name, thank You, Lord, we love You, amen.

“Our God Is Coming” (Prayer Poem ) © 2016 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. Scripture Illustration ~SD Harden/ Scripture Reference © ERV Bible Translation / Angel Song © 2016 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. All Glory To God!

Forget Not

October 7, 2016 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

FORGET NOT

Psalm 103:2 says “Bless the Lord, oh my soul and forget not all His benefits…”
When I looked up the original word for “forget” in the Strong’s concordance, it means to “mislay, cease to care, cause to forget…”

How often, how easy it is to cease to care, to mislay, to forget, to take for granted even the smallest of God’s blessings.

But the simple fact is, what wonderful blessing we enjoy today we might not have tomorrow. How very important it is to be thankful for what we do have today, right now, this very moment. There is always something to be thankful for!

I suffer from chronic migraines and from day to day I do not know how they will affect me.

As an artist, musician, and writer I have to just trust Jesus that all will be well.

The other day I lost the use of my left hand for about 18 hours.

I never know if I will ever regain what I lose during a severe migraine but when it happens I run to Jesus and thank Him for what I do have and trust Him that I am safe in His hands.

He has never failed me. Thankfully, by the next evening the Lord restored my left hand and I was back to playing my piano as before and doing all the myriad things I daily do with that important hand.

Psalm 103 goes on ” …who forgives all our sins, who heals all our diseases..” I praise and thank the Lord Jesus Christ today who is the forgiver of all my sins and who heals me every day!

We serve an Awesome God!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, may I never forget all the wonderful gifts and blessings You shower down upon me each day. For even my very life is a gift from You. Help me not take for granted even the smallest blessing, a gift that perhaps another never had or no longer enjoys due to illness, age, an accident, or for whatever reason.

Help me realize that all things in this life are temporary, for Thy word declares that this world is passing away. Engrave upon my heart that the one thing we can always count on and forever be thankful for is that You will never pass away, You will abide forever and will never leave or forsake us.

Thank You, Lord, I love You, in Jesus’ name, amen.