Marsha's Musings blog - Marsha's Musings

Inspiring and encouraging women
to become the woman of grace
God designed her to be.

Marsha's Musings

Jehovah Shalom

2/27/2022

God is Jehovah-shalom---“the God of peace.” God gives unfailing peace because He is perfect, unfailing peace. Judges 6:16-24; Ephesians 2:14

Harmony, Wholeness, Completeness, Well-being, Tranquility. Just some of the meanings of Peace. The God of Peace is Peace and He is with you always.

Is anyone feeling anxious or fearful about the days we are living in right now?
Let me encourage you with these words. Peace is the antithesis of fear. It provides perspective, encourages hope, builds confidence, inspires courage, and affirms trust in the power of God.

In a world where people are increasingly overwhelmed by stress, conflict, depression, anxiety, and financial, emotional, and physical uncertainty, the presence of Jehovah Shalom provides a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6). This is why those who are consistently immersed in the presence of God and rely on Him for strength bear the fruit of peace in their own lives, which further ministers to those around them (Galatians 5:22).
All who are filled with fear, anxiety, doubt, stress, or uncertainty can trust that Jehovah Shalom cares for them and will never leave them. As it is written in 2 Thessalonians,“now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

We cannot control the uncertainties and circumstances of life, but in the presence of Jehovah Shalom, we can find hope, joy, strength, and peace to face each day.

What I'm Yearning To Be

2/23/2022

Today I spent some time studying my flower garden at our new home. The daffodils and crocus are already in place and starting to bloom. Others, I've been able to figure out what they will be in due time, but first, there's a lot of work to be done, cleaning, pruning, fertilizing, new mulch.

There is something special . . . almost sacred, about walking in a well-kept flower garden. Its beauty often overflows, touching our souls with love and peace. I find myself wanting to linger long and enjoy the fragrance, the colors, and the ecosystem that surrounds it.

My heart yearns to be a flower in God's Garden overflowing with love and bringing peace to others. Nothing of my own do I bring. Lord, You are The Master Gardner. You plan, plant, and provide everything I need so Your Love will bloom and overflow from me. You know the number of days ordained for me. I trust Your plan and purpose for my life. I will gratefully bloom where I'm planted. May I bring glory to You and You alone. Amen.

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." ~ Matthew 6:28-34 NKJV

Look Up!

2/19/2022

For the heart that is weary, God is your strength.
For the soul that is aching, God is your comfort.
For the spirit that is failing, God is your hope.
The Maker of heaven and earth holds you securely in the hollow of His hand and close to His heart.
Look up.
You are not alone.
Your Heavenly Father is with you.
Even when the mountains crumble and the earth shakes violently below you, He will preserve and protect you.
Eternal Life.
Eternal Love.
Eternal Assurance.
#NeverGiveUp #GodStrong #PsalmOfAscent #JoyfulPraise

The Blessing of God's Everlasting Love

2/13/2022

On this weekend before Valentine's Day, I want to share this bit of truth with you. Someone needs to hear this.

God loves you perfectly, forgives you completely, and cares for you constantly. His love for you is not based on your behavior or the amount of faith you have . . . His love for us is based upon His character which is unchanging. He declares His love for us in so many ways - most amazingly through redeeming us by giving His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sin. He loved us SO MUCH that He GAVE . . .

That's what love does, it draws us, it gives, it redeems, it covers, it restores, it never gives up. Yes, His lovingkindness is FOREVER! Never doubt His love for you no matter how unlovable you may feel.

I love how The Message reads in Jeremiah 31:1-3:
This is the way God put it:
“They found grace out in the desert,
these people who survived the killing.
Israel, out looking for a place to rest,
met God out looking for them!”
God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love."

A Prayer of Thanks

2/10/2022

The older I get the more I realize this world is not my home. The restlessness within me is not for more "stuff" but more of Him. The prayer in this graphic has gripped my soul often over the past few years. I often stop and pray it phrase by phrase. May He speak to you through this prayer of thanks as well.

On this Thankful Thursday, what are you thankful for?
Peace and rest to you my sweet friends.

Create In Me a Clean Heart

2/6/2022

SUNDAY PRAYER:

Lord, help me to live today in the power of Your grace. Help me to know love and show love. Guide me by Your spirit so that I may walk in Your will. Restore to me the Joy of my salvation, and may I willingly sing of Your righteousness and give thanks to You. Lord, I lift to you my life, may it be an acceptable sacrifice and pleasing unto you. I ask that you break my heart for what breaks Yours for You will not despise a broken and contrite heart. Empty me of self, cleanse my sinful heart, and renew Your Spirit within me.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Lord, Quiet Me With Your Love

2/2/2022

A few years ago during a morning snow, I heard a beautiful song being sun. There amid the snow-laden branches was a male cardinal singing to his mate a few brances below.
She sat attentively and at peace as she listened to her victorious warrior quieting her with His love song. He flew from branch to branch, still singing, but she never moved, her heart was at rest.

I wish I could be more like her in the midst of the storms in my life.

"The LORD our God is in your midst, the victorious warrior, He will rejoice over you with joy; He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Hello February!

2/1/2022

Hello February and Happy New Year!
January was not a month for me to even TRY
to begin anything new. So, here's to enjoying
every moment the Lord gives me and pursuing
only the things that really matter.

Today is a brand new day and a brand new
month. It's a new opportunity to live fully,
thankfully, and triumphantly in Christ.
The moments we have in this day will not come
again. Chose to be a light in every one of the
moments you've been given.

"You can show others the goodness of God,
for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:4. NLT