Off The Beaten Trek - A Correctional Nurse's Journey (Retired)
"Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant." -Galatians 6:7 (NLT)
"As I have observed, those who plow iniquity, and those who sow trouble, reap the same." -Job 4:8 (NLT)
"If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves." -Galatians 6:3 (NIV)
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” – Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
“Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” – John 7:24 (NLT)
“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.” –1 Corinthians 14:33 (NLT)
“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5 (NLT)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Not everything that appears good is beneficial. I can attest to that after sorting out the strawberries my husband brought home from the store. Oh! The clear tub that housed the 2 pounds worth of craved fruits smelled heavenly! The fruits I was staring at were so red and its leaves attached on top were green. Until... I opened the tub to wash each fruit. I usually wash them and remove impurities, drying them completely before storing in the refrigerator. After picking up six of them, there were a few in the middle hidden from the transparent tub with mold. I tossed them out to the trash where they belong.
In this trying times in our nation, be careful not to be deceived. I pray for discernment and God's wisdom for His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Not everything that you hear is beneficial. May God guide you as you make decisions where it's called for. Remember, we are to please God not men. God bless.
1 O Lord, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I pray to no one but you.
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
5 Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
6 You will destroy those who tell lies.
The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
8 Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.
9 My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with flattery.
10 O God, declare them guilty.
Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love. Psalm 5 (NLT)
I have a deep longing to go back to my old posts and through the past written words, they become my daily devotions and prayers. This morning, my eyes stopped at Psalm 5. My prayer today. There is no amount of lockdown that will ever stop God's work in each person He chooses for His plan and that person, who in return, chooses to obey God.The true lockdown isn't about stopping the COVID. It is a deceiving plan to mask freedom and faith in God. The unseen slavery is if one allows sins to be his/her master.
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. " - Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)
(I have written this back in July 4, 2014 and I feel that this is still timely in what's going on in our country. I trust the Lord wants me to re post)...
The bright, already hot rays of the sun greeted my barely-opened eyes. I hugged my husband briefly, still asleep, and whispered for him to go back to sleep. As I started to wake up more to reality of facing another day to more depressing news. Day. By. Day.
My heart felt sad as I realized how the news about illegal immigration (and now, countless rioting of what was supposed to be "peaceful protests") had been constantly overpowering the other “what-should-be” news like celebrating the freedom we enjoy this very day. Like remembering those countless lives who willingly sacrificed, not only them serving in the military, but also the families behind them, to preserve the freedom this nation enjoyed.
My mind was clouded by then trying to reflect on my own journey. Of coming to America with a big dream of enjoying the freedom it had and knowing that it was a land full of opportunities to those of us who were not born here. A land truly blessed by God and as far as I knew, was founded on Christian principles.
“Good morning,” a soft greeting cut through my busy mind as my husband’s weary and rough hands tried to envelope me as I slowly got up, not forgetting for a minute where my mind was going. My heart becoming more sad. As I touched his hands, rough now from years of experiences. Of being in Iraq war. And other destinations wherever the military assigned him. And as we welcomed our child, he got out of the military to be more with his family and to fulfill a higher dream. If I had to write about each of our journeys, this space would not be enough. I just knew. We both came here, following the due process or law that this great nation had established. It was not an easy trek. But what great tastes of victory to be handed that “citizenship” that many aspired for.
And what even more joy to be able to profess your faith without risking your life in this place!
This morning, as I remember the white-haired veterans and those who might have lost a limb or more and the ones who died. All of those serving in the military, near and far. The families that also had to sacrifice. Facing each day, not knowing if their loved ones would be able to return. Those foreigners, like my husband and I, who came here the long way, but through the legal process. The Christians who still believe in God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus being One. I’m tired of hearing the laws. I’m tired of hearing God’s Word being thrown to those who try to oppose and show their courage to stand up for what was right. I’m tired of all the irresponsible actions the government and people must and must not be doing.
For as an American and as a Christian, I know we all have that duty to obey God first. I very well know His commandment to love Him first, then love others. But my question is…
“Are we loving others in the right way?”
We can all argue. But this place is becoming more tolerant of sins while yelling God’s commandment to love on my face.
As Christians, you and I know this is not our home. But as we are still living down here, we have responsibilities to obey God first and the government. Its laws. For God was the One Who put it there.
This morning, I would probably still turn on my t.v. though I already know what news to expect. But I want to shout “Hurray!” for those who are willing to stand up for what is RIGHT. And no! I don’t want to forget to say “Thank You” to those veterans who never get the treatments and respect they all deserve. “Thank You” to all of your families who sacrificed like you did. “Thank You” to all the military and law enforcement who give their all to preserve the freedom we enjoy and to protect this land against oppressors.
Most of all, “Thank You, God!” “Thank You, Lord”.
God Bless America!
