Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19
HUH??
I had decided to take the challenge that Beth Moore put out on her LPM blog. She challenged us to memorize a scripture every other week for the entire year. So...I asked God what He wanted me to focus on first and I waited and waited for His answer. Finally He says "Habakkuk 3". You know I don't mean He came down and sat on my bed and spoke, but I knew in my heart that's where He wanted me to go. So as the obedient girl I am (HA) I read Habakkuk 3 and the above verses were the ones I knew He wanted me to meditate on. Are you kidding me?? I am not a farmer, what on earth does this have to do with me?
EVERYTHING.
Though things look dead, though nothing is as it should be. If you have no material things. If your husband does NOT come home. If all is taken from you. Sheryl, if those things happened, will you still praise me?? Will you still rejoice in who I am? Will you be joyful??
Wow, Lord, I am not sure. He tells me in these verses that He is my strength, He will enable me. I don't think He is preparing me for bad things to happen, I believe He is reinforcing what I've been trying to learn for 18 months...that HE IS ENOUGH!! Praise Him in spite of circumstances. He hasn't changed. He is the same God who sent His Son to die for me. His eyes have not left me for one second of my life. He is the only constant, the only "thing" on which I should hang my trust.
Life is very fragile. Just as I had suspected before posting my last entry, satan has attacked me. I found myself out in my garage yelling at him (satan, that is) telling him to leave me and my family alone. Neighbors think I'm crazy but what do I care. God is doing a mighty work in our lives and I am not going to let satan take back any ground.
God is the one in control. He is the only one who is Sovereign. I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior. It is a choice I must make. An action. My prayer for all of you this year is that you also will choose joy, choose God
- Sheryl
- I am a mom to 2 great kids. I am a child of God who is pursuing after Him as I learn to live in my "new normal". Diagnosed with a life altering illness in June of 2007 and the end of my marriage less than a year later, life has taken a new path. One that I am learning to accept and appreciate. As my illness caused me to be basically home bound, my family named the living room couch "my perch". Thus the title of this blog.
40 comments:
My word girl, you have a true gift of discernment!!! I love that you are so willing to follow the Holy Spirit and just say it. I am so glad that God has placed you as my friend!! You are a sheer blessing!!
MOOWAH!!
Kim-PK
oh don't you just love it when we have a yelling moment at Satan and someone is watching us...... Don't give up the fight He is worthy!!!!
I just sit here nodding my head in agreement (like you can see me! LOL! I'm as crazy as you!!)... been there... still there... thanks for the company.
Oh Yes, Sweet One!!! It is ALL ABOUT THE TEST!!! Yet will I praise Him!!! You know He wants you to trust Him, wait on Him and give Him the praise in ALL things!!
I love it When God speaks so clearly!!!
In my prayers Girl, I feel a break through coming!!!
Love,
Sharon
Didn't you once tell me that you could not relate to women ministers? GUESS WHAT?
YOU HAVE BECOME ONE!!!!
I believe with all my heart that in2009 God WILL be glorified. And you will difinitely be part of that GLORY.
Love you, LINDA ( my word verification is peedde. It should have been urinate)
Oh, how I wish you were my neighbor. I love to spy on crazy neighbors...cheap entertainment. :)
Thank you for your words...you always have such great perspective.
And I really do wish you were my neighbor...how fun would that be?
Courtney
You go girl! Don't you love how we can take scripture about cow patties...I mean cows, trees, crops, fields and relate it to our life.
This is a wonderful post praising the Lord. You have a wonderful heart.
Paula
Sherly,
Thanks for the reminder that He, indeed, is more than enough. As I said before, I love your heart and your attitude. Thanks for teaching me...
KB
God is glorified when we choose to praise HIm--always. Anyone can praise Him when everything is going perfect, but the world takes notice when we praise Him in the tough times!!
Way to choose!
Yes, yes, yes. the Lord gave me that same verse just before Christmas. We had very little for money, and way to much for bills. Read that verse, and didn't care as much about the lack of money anymore. God was all we needed. We called on Him, and the provision came.
Love this post. Keep it up girl. God is using you big time.
Amen my friend! You are so right. Trials will come. The question is how will we react to them. Will we still praise His name in the midst of the storm? Will we praise Him regardless of the circumstance? Will we praise Him with our whole being?
Hang in there my friend! You will have the victory. I can't say when or how. But God knows and that is what's important.
Take care! And may you have a blessed weekend!
Sadie,
I love your "sacrifice of joy" day in and day out. God will bless that!
Love,
Lila
Sheryl,
Let me say that I thank GOD every day for you. GOD has used you in a mighty way in my life.
Thank you for being open to what the LORD calls you to do. Even when its hard you are still open to his proding of the HOLY spirit.
Love ya,
Laura
Your doing the Beth Moore challenge too??? So am I. I actually chose the same verse she did..I know..I know...of all the verses right?? Agreeing with you, Satan needs to get!! I see a VICTORY for you!
What a great post! It matches the statement on your page: Choose Joy!. This is a great verse. Perhaps I will choose it for the next LPM verse. I chose: Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NASB
Count it all joy!
Beautiful my friend! I agree with all the other comments! You are being used. Your pain will not be in vain. Victory and blessing is yours dear friend!
Love you,
Nicole
Amen sistah!!
He is enough!! but I think it takes us going through our own personal journey with the Lord for us to see that he really is enough for ourselves. It's not something anyone can tell us, even when they do, we are desiring what our heart longs for and that is all we can focus on..until we come to that relization..You are such a gifted woman and I see such growth in your walk and journey, you are awesome and please keep writing girlfriend I see alot of wisdom coming forth.
Luv ya Lorie
Hello Sheryl, Please forgive me for being so bold, but I am doing a bit of blog surf to invite people to sign up for my giveaway. There are no gimmicks. This is just my way of celebrating two years of blogging. On January 4th I am giving away a free caricature drawn by me. I'd be honored if you came by and signed up for a chance to win.
Keep your eyes on the prize, sweet friend...eyes on the prize! Love, Jo Ann
the image of you in your garage yelling at satan was a great one. made me smile.made me think of that childs song, if the devil doesnt like it he can sit on a tack. your true heart comes out in your writings and i think with gods help you and your family will be just fine this year, no matter what storms you face. god bless you freind.
Hi Sheryl-
I read your chosen passage over at LPM and absolutely LOVE it. The passage is so telling.
You are so right, the deceiver is after us all - he knows his time is short. Shouting we will if he thinks we are his preys.
I will choose God and the joy He brings with Him.
Love you.
Myriam
Spoken like a true warrior!
I have learned when satan starts to make things look impossible,that's when it'stime to stand on your knees.
I don't think you crazy,our family God has given us is worth fighting for.I know...I've been there.
Hi Sheryl,
I'm visiting from Melinda's blog. Your blog has really inspired me. I'm right there with you..you're not crazy. Been there, done that..yelled at satan that is. Keep up the good fight!
Ginger
hey Sheryl!
what an awesome post and encouragement & support the Lord is giving you through your blog!!
to know that others are walking along side you as you go through all of this is such a blessing!!!
i have to admit i am a bit jealous!
but at the same time, as ghost town as my own blog is, i am so thankful for you Sheryl!!!
may God continue to pour down his Blessings on you and your family!
been praying for you, Don and the kids and will continue to! God is definately at work and its so awesome to hear about it as it unfolds.
love ya!
jill
Sheryl,
Found your comment on my blog about the verses you are going to memorize for the LPM 2009 Memory Challenge. I've looked up the verses and want to learn more about them.
Just curious, how did you find my blog? Love the name "The Perch!"
barb
Wonderful verses. This is absolutely at the top of the list for me since 2006 when our family unit began to fall apart due to my children leaving home and making very sinful choices. We have only begun to pick up "some" of the pieces. It has been a journey I never expected in a million years but Jesus has been our everything. Oh that we may say every day this year...Yes Jesus I choose you no matter what! Family unit intact or in a mess, job, no job, health, no health.
Great post. May God bless you beyond your wildest dreams this year! I believe He will do this for both of us Sheryl even if we don't get one thing on our wish list. It's how He works in our hearts isn't it.
love, janel
Yes, choose joy, choose God.
Denise in TX
Amen to your post and your testimony Sheryl. I signed up for the LPM challenge too! I memorized Hab 3:19 in a version I heard Beth Moore share: "The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery, my invinceable army, and He has made my feet like hinds feet and causes me to walk, not stand still in terror, but to walk and make spiritual progress on my high place of trouble, suffering and responsibility." May you walk on and continue to make spiritual progress from your perch! It's so nice to meet you!
The verse you posted reminded my of the book Hinds Feet for High Places. It is a great allegory and you may enjoy it...if you haven't already read it.
My verse: Hebrews 6:10-12...
Hey Sheryl,
Oh, this would have to be among my all time FAVORITE scriptures. One the Lord has required of me, time and time again.
What a great scripture to memorize.
I'm taking the challenge too.
Praying for you, with you...
Keep yelling at that devil, God word is true.
Blessings to you my friend.
PS I was so blessed to read how well you have been feeling, what an answer to prayer!!
Oh yes, I'll join you in memorizing that scripture!
We have a favorite saying around here...life is not easy, but it is good!
Look at all your comments! Wow!! Mabye if I didn't talk to much, I'd get more comments on one post! ahem... well... I am inviting you over to my blog for some lemonade... come over... let me talk your ear off!! ((hugs))
You have an award waiting for you at my blog that you so richly deserve. Congratulations!!!
I am so very glad you left a comment on my blog today because coming here has truly blessed me.
It's funny or maybe it was just God, I rarely write posts like the one I did last night on our blog just because it's main purpose is for family in other states to keep up on our kids and our family. But maybe that will change this year too.
I'm learning to choose joy. I'm actually still learning that it is indeed a choice I have to make every morning.
I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog and to bumping in to you again. :)
Kiesha
You won! You won! ...head over to my blog and see...
Courtney
Sherly-Beth Moore did a Bible study or something on this scripture and it is a great one to memorize. I do hope God rewards you well for allowing Him to be your all. I will pray for your specifically in my quiet time tomorrow.
In His Graces~Pamela
Hi Sheryl,
Thank you for stopping by my blog! I'm just catching up from last week. I love your blog..so very encouraging and I took some time to read the other one you suggested..very powerful. My prayers are with you.
I love the image of you standing in your garage yelling at Satan! I WILL choose to praise Him still--even in the midst of the struggle. Amen! Love your blog. Glad Rachel linked to you!
I recently wrote a post about the deepest form of worship and that is praise. You are doing it, Sheryl. And I know God is smiling! You are HIS and He is fighting for you and your family. He wins in the end.
Post a Comment