Job 17:9 Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to his way, and he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.
Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presecne only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
1 Timothy 4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard my self as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgettinbg what liwa behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
While researching for this blog post, I found a great article. It was in Crosswalk.com, written by Jennifer Heerin entitled God is Pleased by our Progress not Perfection published January 27, 2017. I’m so thankful I found it.
Do you make commitments to change something on New Year’s? Very rarely have I dont that. Mostly because I make a “habit” of changing something throughout the year….and usually fail and revert back to the old before very long. For example, I smoked for several years. I would pick a favorite number and decide to quit on that numbered day of a certain month. There was extra certainty if that number landed on a Monday—first day of a new work week, so that much power in the date chosen. Nope, could just as easily fail.
I generally was not controlled enough to stick with my improvement decisions for long. So, if I could not stick to it on regular days, why would I risk a bigger fail choosing to change something in the New Year? There are still areas I work on and try to become better at, or give up things that arfe less healthy for me to deal with, and I believe that will be a life long process. But certainly, and thankfully, smoking is no longer on that list. There are a few other things that have been mastered over the years, but again, not given up on that brand new start of a new year.
I do try to choose a word for each new year. I want a word that will remind me I need to grow and improve in an area. A couple years ago, I chose ‘open’ as I needed to be more open to other ideas and be able to show them the truth in the Word; and I also needed to try to force myself to be approachable as well as more easy approaching others. For decades, I allowed whatever to hold me back from greeting and seeking others. (Yuck, how much did I lose with THAT behavior?) However, it was work and a great effort for me to push away from my shyness, hesitancy, and nerves. And when I would feel myself holding back, hesitating, or even getting ready to retreat, the Holy Spirit would remind me of the word ‘open.’
In all honesty, occasionally I would retreat, get to my car, then scold, tell myself to stop being a ninny, and go back in…and I’d go back in. And always had a pleasant experience. Imagine that! There were other times, when remembering my word and my intent for the year, I’d go forward and the warmth of another was a “reward” in a way. (Not a big deal for most others, but it was a chore for me to go forward and not choose to duck out.). My relationships with others grew, I gained some confidence, and had some real nice experiences.
So, this year, I will choose a word that is pertinent and see what the following of that will bring. It’s a way for me to see progress, writing the word, remonding myself of the word, and following His lead.
So, just a thought, but do you do anything special for a new year? Happy New Year to all with abundant blessings.
Thank You, Lord, for all You do for ‘me and my bellaviews.’
Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Mark 12:30-31 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.
Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, “‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.'”
This verse states clearly the same thing. The message is clear. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Be kind even if someone is sharp and impatient, and try to maintain to pleasant and loving countenance.
I love seeing my friends or others be kind despite the way others may be acting. I admire it. When my anger tips at someone’s rudeness, obvious impatience or reluctance at their job, or someone not wanting to deal with my issue, I find it difficult to maintain and not strike back. And although I strive to remain pleasant, patient and kind, I feel my displeasure with them boiling up. But I have several friends who seem to deal levelly with these similar issues. Their behavior is something I admire and aspire to, a goal I work toward.
I know that I am a more critical critic than God. He applauds the fact that I try to be better and do better each day of my walk with Him. I may still see a huge flaw or lack in my behavior or attitude, but God sees more of my advance, my progress than my lack. How fortunate! And I must admit, I do consistently and persistently try harder each time I receive His ‘good job,’ or ‘you could have handled that better.’ Treating others the way I wish to be treated is doing what God wants each of us to do; to be the best of all He has created.
The fact that He sometimes scolds me when I behaved poorly or less than ideally indicates He loves me and wants me to act better. His admonishments are much like my parents. “Kath, that is definitely not the way to treat your sibling. You know….” And whatever it was I did not do properly was discussed. The expected level of behavior was always made clear. I knew the expectation and I strove to achieve it; because I did not want to be a disappointment.
And, it is the same with God’s mandates. I don’t want to be a disappointment. I will never achieve excellence. But I can achieve and master better than before. So I strive to treat others the same way I want to be treated each and every day. Keep the Holy Spirit correcting me.
I want to be better for and to others; I want me and “mybellaviews” to positively touch others.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIs might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV) put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand firm Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for you feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (boldness added by me)
Romans 13:12, 14 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. . . . But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.
One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 6:10-19. I like the ‘whole armor’ scenario. And it reminds me that my protection is actually me KNOWING the word and promises of God. When I need to, I repeat these words I need, sometimes as a reminder that I am a soldier and fight against the enemy called Satan and his nasty minions. His weapons are many, MANY—hatred, doubting, fearfulness, anxiety, insecurity, a nasty spirit, anger, and worry and so many other things that he whispers in your mind as often as he can. He is the Deceiver, the Liar, the one who taunts, the one who tries to reach out and hurt you. And he frequently sends others to make you doubt, make you fear, worry, and not trust in the promises. That is why it is important to read your Bible, to equip yourself for war. The enemy is all around us, and he wants us to fail, to doubt, and to find no comfort in the Comforter.
And if you don’t know His words, His promises, His comfort, His ways, you can fall victim to the lies and deceits of the Evil One. So the armor of God is knowing His words, in your heart, your mind, and to always be prepared to throw out His words as though a spear to hit the enemy. Satan hates when you are armed with God’s words and his taunting lies are unable to penetrate you to cause doubt, hurt, and worry.
And I don’t know all the verses, but I have an arsenal of my favorites. I know the ones which have spoken to me, have touched me, and remind me of what I am to do each day, sometimes many, many times in one day. And that is to pray, to keep His words in my heart. Knowing them is what girds you with the armor to fight.
I am not saying doubt does not sometimes tickle my mind, causing me a few moments of disquiet. But I have learned that when I feel unease or anxiety, to seek God. Maybe He is warning me I am about to make a mistake, or not follow His path for me. So I ask, I seek His guidance.
If I don’t become reassured the unease I am feeling is because I am doing something wrong in His eyes, I ask if this is Satan. And then rebuke the deceiver with God’s words and quote a promise, while seeing myself girded like a Wonder Woman warrior, because I do dress as a warrior, carrying my sword, and looking about, staying on guard. I want to keep myself under God’s guard, being diligently ready for the enemy’s attacks. And Satan flees. . . for a time.
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I like my house to be clean from Satan’s deceptions. And without diligence, it does not stay that way. That’s why I share some of ‘mybellaviews’.
Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Matthew 15:11 It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.
James 3:8 But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
One of the biggest flaws I continue to fight on a daily basis, and frequently still lose the battle, is my mouth. I can sometimes hear my speech as coarser than I like. Often, I will say a curse word, or use His name in vain, as an exclamation either good or bad, but the thought is prefaced with His name. I hear it before the thought crossed my brain barrier and out my mouth, and I cringe. My desire is to always have kind speech and words coming out of my mouth. That does not always happen either; surely, it is more frequent than years ago, but still it is not constant. I want it to be constant as 2+2=2×2. That’s a constant, unchanging.
My other issue with my mouth is the overeating. And I love sweets. Oh my, I am adept at tuning out the Holy Spirit or really deaf, and unfeeling to little, soft nudges. . .because I respond to those cakes, cookies, or other bakery products, AND THEN AFTER the deed and sweet has been appreciated, I groan and realize I have mistreated His temple, my body again. I only get to use this vessel here, but am supposed to honor and treat it with all the respect and honor since it is a part of the representation of honoring my Savior and Lord. UGH! But when I want to obey the Tempter, it is MY immediate gratification I want filled. And then am left feeling empty, and yuck.
Daily, I pray for help and guidance for this; and resolve that I am going to be more adept at “hearing” the reminder I can do without that second helping, and I certainly don’t need that bakery product. One of the other mouth problems I still have is having too much wine. That is a bit easier for me to control, but it can still be that I have one or two many glasses at a neighbor’s house before going to mine. I don’t keep wine in the house unless I know someone is coming to dinner—I can be too easily tempted to ‘have one’ and then realize I have had half a bottle.
So many issues with the mouth are noted throughout the bible, and certainly in my life. I don’t want coarse language. How awful is that to praise and worship Him, and then use the same organ to say something crass, or gossipy, or crude about something? And overeating? I have an abundance! How much more control I would have if I had to depend on ‘daily bread’ instead of shopping for two families (I live alone!)and packing it into cupboards and fridges until needed. So, not just overeating, but then cramming myself with sugars/desserts and foods that are NOT needed and have NO nutritional benefit.
Lord, I apologize and confess my sinful mouth tends to rule over my desire for obedience and honoring You. You know it’s a several times a day struggle. . .yet, I can see improvement in the area of speech, but I want better in all aspects. Yes, yes, You are correct again, God, that is my impatience whining loudly. Yes. You know me so well. (Sigh)
Yes, all in Your timing. I just need to do my best and follow You and believe You will, with the Holy Spirit help me improve in all areas. Thank You for loving me, and reminding me improvements take time and will happen. . .and You are happy I want to improve in all mouthy areas of my life. It is a walk and a process. And You love me.
Thank You, Lord for knowing we walk a path with You, and we are not going to be perfect until You call us home. Thank You that Your love is not conditional as human love can sometimes be. You have so richly blessed me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build
Loss can be so incredibly difficult. OUCH! I recently lost two very close friends and along with my tears there was anger. Why? In both cases I was increasingly frustrated regarding our current medical system. For an RN who loved what I was doing, I find there are huge problems with our care and testing and promptness in determining why someone is ill. Also, as a nurse, I know we didn’t win every battle to save each life. Patients died in the ICU environment I primarily worked in. As difficult as those were or cold be for the families and friends left behind, the worst seemed to be the sudden ones—a major stroke, a massive heart attack, something sudden, with little warning and no heroics able to save.
The losses which were the easiest to deal with were the one’s when a family had been able to witness how hard the nursing and medical personnel worked to save, but after a struggle and numerous complications, death still took that person.
So as I raged and cried my grief for the loss of these giants of strength, faith, and support in my life, God let me carry on for a while. Then quietly I was reminded He has numbered each of our days and He is in charge. COVID did not come as a surprise to God, nor did the massive stroke who took my other friend. Their days were numbered, predestined and although I lost two treasures, I was somehow comforted that He knew they were coming when they did. Yes, those of us lieft behind dealt with the shock, the loss, the grief—and the anger—but God’s shoulders are big enough and compassionate enough to hold us as we cry, scream and grieve. It’s okay. He holds us in the palm of His hand, and understands and empathizes with our hurt, loss, and anger. He gives us strength to deal with the pain and grief.
I still have questions about some of this loss. Both of these wonderful women had young grandchildren—one had an 8 year old granddaughter, and the other a 5 year old. Who will be the loving grandmother that these little girls had with these women. The older grandkids understand more, but they will lose so very much not having these fun and wacky women teaching them gardening, making fairy gardens, cooking, baking, making Easter eggs, buying something special for “mommy and daddy” for birthday, Christmas, or Mother’s Day or Father’s Day? Who is going to guide them? Who is going to be the magic, wonderful woman in their life?
I still don’t know. But God does. It still pulls and yanks at and hurts my heart. I do KNOW He’s got this, but who is going to guide these gorgeous young girls? They need these vibrant, fun, loving women to guide them—to create hidden worlds, magic, and pique that imagination. These women had it!! They had imagination, they had joy, they were creative, and they wanted to introduce these young grand-girls with their imagination and how to create new worlds, new vistas….
And my heart aches they are no longer here. But You are here. You are steady. . . and these two beautiful girls have something else You have prepared for them. Your workd promises, “I know the pans I have for you.” In Jeremiah. So regardless of my hurt, loss, and concern for these beautiful girls. . . .You have this. I know My heart hurts. I know You have promised that You have plans for each of us. . . You have plans for them, that means these beautiful young girls who have just lost their precious and fun grandmothers, and are hurting and wanting. . . You have a plan for them, and they will be okay.
Thank You. You always have a plan, no matter how have messed up. You are in control with the numbers of our days, and so forth. Keep these precious babies hugged closely so they can healthily recover from the loss they have endured.
Thank You, Lord. You have a plan for each of us. . . and Thank You our plan is not matching my timeline. Thanks for all You have done for me and ‘mybellaviews.’ Protect these beautiful girls always… I know You have special plans for them. Heal them and remind them who their special grannies were. They were awesomely fun ladies in my life. Thank You for them.
Hi, I'm Kathy. Welcome to my website!