Hospitality, Friendship, Encouragement

Monday, February 24, 2020

Monday Musings


The morning light coming in through various windows caught my attention today.  It's around 7:00 am and I've been back from taking Sarah to work for an hour.  

I've been thinking about the message at church yesterday about how satan tries to deceive us.  One big area is that he tries to get us to believe that God does not delight in nor is He committed in doing good to me.

I struggled with this for many years.  However, God's word says that He takes delight in me, and rejoices over me.

The Lord your God is in your midst,    a mighty one who will save;he will rejoice over you with gladness;    he will quiet you by his love;he will exult over you with loud singing.
                                                                       Zephaniah 3:17 ESV

The NIV says

The Lord your God is with you,    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.

Growing up, I kind of had the feeling that God was only pleased with me or loved me if I did what He wanted.  That'd been my experience with people, so it seemed like that was the way God was, too.

But the God's word says that he loved me before the foundation of the world and that He loves me because He loves me, not because I do everything right.

Isn't it cool that the one who made us and fashioned us just how He wanted us to be, loves us with such grace?

 I know that it helps me to be free to be who He's created me to be, regardless of my circumstances, or personal struggles.

My God delights in me, and He delights in you, too!


The second month of the year is nearly over, can you believe it?

9 comments:

Deb J. in Utah said...

Good morning. I love the thoughts of this post. So true! I am a new follower and will be back to check in again soon!

Linda said...

A beautiful post. Been struggling (still) with family issues that are unresolved and probably will remain so. I have to keep telling myself its not my problem, its theirs. Satan sure is working hard, just keeping it real.

Beautiful photos and I love that china cabinet, smiles. Have a great week ahead.

Jan said...

I grew up with much the same feeling about God-grace was not a word I really ever heard in church. I'm so happy to finally understand just how much He loves me and just what a great blessing His grace is!

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I love your photos! Yes, I have to remember that in the midst of circumstances that can be stressful, God LOVES us!

Barb said...

Beautiful thoughts on grace! It took me a long time to realize that God loves me for me, that His grace is sufficient, that He knows me and loved me just like I am. I believe that we still have to do our part in trying each day do all that we can to do, to be a good person, to learn about and live according to His word...but, His grace is sufficient. Have a wonderful Monday!!

Lorrie said...

Good morning, Deanna! Your words are lovely. I often think that if only we humans grasped how deeply God loves us, warts and all, what a transformation would occur in individual lives, communities, and nations. It's my prayer.

Sue said...

Beautiful thoughts to begin our week, Deannea, I too am so thankful for God's many promises, to which I stand on, even though satan tries to send doubt.
Have a blessed day.
Sue

Sandi said...

"... he will quiet you by his love;he will exult over you with loud singing."

When my kids were young we would giggle about this verse because it sounds like he hushes you and then suddenly blares with loud singing. My kids would jump like they'd been startled. But then one day I realized he quiets us so that we can hear him.

Theresa said...

Beautiful pictures and verses! I am in love with that first picture, I LOVE IT, with the sun shining in, WOW! Enjoy your day dear friend, HUGS!

Information Friday

  We had a wonderful wedding weekend in Missouri! We drove, leaving Friday morning and came back on Monday! It was long, but it was worth it...