Lifeboat

I was speaking with a friend the other day whom was in the middle of an overwhelming situation.
She and her husband kept fluctuating between going ahead or not going ahead. Anyway, it made me think how many of us are in similar situations and need relief from the stress and an answer to the situation.
In thinking on this I realized that the only true defense is God, our 'LIFEBOAT'.
So lets all climb on board.

"Those that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up on wings like
eagles;
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean
not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will
make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5 & 6

"And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

"For God did not give us a spirit of fear,
but a spirit of power, love and a sound
mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still (quiet) waters,
He restores my soul.
He leads (guides) me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy (love) shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy  and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold
 in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
Yet not one of them will fall to the ground
apart from the will of your Father. And even
the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
So don't be afraid; you are worth more than
many sparrows."  Matthew 10: 29-31

Be at peace my friends and enjoy the ride,
Shifra

Journal entry: January 5, 2012

Matthew 5: 14-16 (NKJV)

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand, and
it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

We are living in a time of much unrest. Darkness seems to surround us.
Depression tries to take a foothold.
Which way is up? Which way is down? How will we ever get out of this hole?
Stop the world I want to get off!!!
It is during these trying times that we must push forward and maintain our
focus on God, Our Deliverer.
Be faithful and persevere. Do not go into hiding! Let your light shine within
the darkness. Be faithful to your calling.
It is not what we see in the natural that matters, but what is happening in the
spiritual does. The Lord already has it under control whether we see it or not.
Those in darkness, under the devil's thumb, will only truly see God, as we let
'our light shine before men.'

Father, in these seasons of time we truly need Your strength. Lift us up so we
can lift you up. In Jesus name, Amen.

Great is the Lord

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.
From on high He looks down upon us and
sends us His love and mercy.
When we are in dire straits just one word
from His mouth brings us relief.
No distance can keep Our God from pro-
tecting His own.
His love is unconditional.
Forever and always He will be Our God and
we will be His people.
Rejoice at the works of His hands!
Sing praise to His awesomeness!

The One True Light

Hanukah is upon us and Christmas in just a couple of days.

This is the season of joy and love for all that God the Father has done for us
and what Jesus, Yeshua, the true Light, did for us.

The middle light of the menorah is the light that lights all the other candles.
Yeshua, is the Light that brings light to our hearts.

Beyond the hustling and bustling of this busy season we need to stop and
remember the true reason for this season. Its not the presents, the tree, food,
parties, etc., but it is Jesus!!! All the rest will fade away, but the name of the
Lord will always be exalted. He will never fade away. The name of the Lord
will resound throughout the world and one day all will bow their knee before
the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!!!!!!!!

Take a moment out of your busy day and thank and bless the Lord for all He has done.

Thank you Lord God for all you have done for me and my family throughout the year. Even with all the upsets that have happened financially I know that You are still with me. Though I may feel at my wits end, You are still at my side. When I am down and discouraged--------still----------You are there. Why do I fret that when down deep in my spirit I know You will see me through. You are One that will never leave me nor forsake me. I bless You Lord. Praise be to Your wonderful and awesome name. Amen.

In Christ, the Messiah,
Shifra

The Star

The star in the east shined very bright that night so long ago.
It announced the birth of our Savior,
a babe in a manger.

Who could imagine that one day He would reign as our
Lord and King?

How glorious it must have been to the shepherds and the
magi as they saw it first hand.

Still the spirit of that wonderful night goes forth.

The sign of the star in the east still shines forth in the
hearts of men everywhere.

The spirit of God is found by all those who believe by
faith that He was, and is and is yet to come.

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a
Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be the sign for you: you will find a Babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
(Luke 2:11-12 NKJV)

This writing can be found in my book: Gemstones
(www.createspace.com/3532853)

Give Thanks

Yesterday morning, I was having my journal time and I wrote this and felt it was something to share.

I hope it blesses you.

In Christ,
Shifra

Thanksgiving Day 24 November 2011

The Lord is my refuge and strong tower. He looks down from His Holy habitation and covers me with His love and compassion. I am secure within His Holy embrace. No one will be able to pluck me from His hand. No thing will ever draw me away from my God. Even when I stumble or fall My Lord is there to lift me up. If I tend to move to the left or the right He is there to make my path straight. He is true to His word and I will dwell in His house forever. Amen.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever.

Thanksgiving

Wishing all my readers a very blessed Thanksgiving Day!


Let us remember those this season who may have no place to go or are less fortunate then us.
There is always someone who may need a hand. In these times we know how hard it is to make ends meet, but we cannot out give God.


"Blessed is he who considers the poor;  the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." Psalm 41:1


"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Luke 6:38


Let us also remember to whom we should give thanks. Our Lord and Savior deserves all our thanks for all He has done for us.


"Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 106:1


"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:" Psalm 92:1


Be blessed,
Shifra
  

Unhappy

I am not very happy with myself today.

I did not treat one of my patients with
the right kind of attitude today and I
am unhappy with myself.

She called me and vented and I apologized
knowing that I came across all wrong. I
was still not satisfied so I just sent her an
apology note.

Yes, I'm not feeling good, but as a christian
there is just no excuse for how I acted. True,
I am only human and we all go through such
days, but I do not like hurting someone.

I feel like Paul when he said the things he shouldn't
do he does, and the things he wants to do he does not.
That is not the exact quote, but you get my drift.

I guess I need to stop hitting myself over the head
with a sledge hammer and remember that God has
forgiven me and now I need to forgive myself.

Thanks everyone for letting me get this out.

Blessings,
Shifra

Update

I have not written for awhile as I have writer's block.

I have joined the choir at  my church, Coral Ridge Pres., and I am also practicing for Handel's Messiah, which we will be doing for Christmas. I'm enjoying it, but Handel's Messiah is tough. I am a soprano, but no longer a high soprano so some of the notes are really a challenge. I have to try sitting near the second sopranos so I won't get confused from the high sopranos.

I was surprised this morning when I found out that one of my books sold on Amazon.com. Cool. It was The Calling card Mystery, for middle schoolers and up. It would be nice to see the other titles, Fertile Ground and Gemstones, sell too.

Please pray for me that my voice will not give out and that all the glory will be unto God.

Be blessed dear readers,
Shifra

Encouragement

"The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high;
He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.
He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure."
Isaiah 33:5-6

"give, and it will be given to you. Good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, running over,
will it be put into your lap. For with the measure
you use it will be measured back to you."
Luke 6:38

Blessings to you,
Shifra