BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY
"…for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." I Samuel 16:7b​

​Hello everyone…and how is your Tuesday? This morning, as I've been sitting in the presence of God…thinking on what He would have me to share with you today; He began to open my heart and remind me that no matter what you and I are facing at this time…He is right there with us…and I pray that as we begin our visit together today; that we will truly feel His presence entering our hearts…and that we will come to see that we are never alone…Amen!!
I don't know what you are facing today; but these past few days have truly been a struggle for me with my health. Most days I live with chronic pain, while other days I seem to be tired…to the place where life truly becomes a struggle for me. In fact, as I entered my office this morning, I felt that everything had been drained from me…to the place where I didn't know if I could write; but I was determined to press on and share words of encouragement with you today.
You know…sometimes I think that all we need to do while hurting so deeply; is to just sit in the presence of God and quietly let Him listen to our hearts. As the verse says above…"…man looketh on the outward appearance; but the Lord looketh at the heart."  In other words, no one can see deep into the heart…to listen and feel each hurtful feeling like He can.
I remember quite some time ago, when I was going through depression…and the feelings that were overwhelming me at the time, made it almost impossible to speak. As I sat quietly in God's presence…crying until there were no more tears to cry; He came to me…and as I look back on those moments, I truly believe that He had been listening to each hurtful feeling that had radiated from my heart to His. That day, it never took some pomp and circumstance words to grab His attention; because He was already listening to a heart that was deeply broken. So many times, I believe that we don't see God in this way; because we think of Him in the way that we see others around us, due to the life we live every day; but once more, as the verse states above… "the Lord seeth not as man seeth…"
As I sit here with you today, I am experiencing things in my body that I hadn't experienced about 3 years ago; but I once more take comfort in knowing that God is there…listening to a heart that sometimes is overwhelmed by pain and fatigue…and even as I write you today…He is at work…not only encouraging you; but encouraging me also…what a God!
These days that we're living in can seem almost impossible to get through. It's not just the pain and brokenness that we're experiencing within our own lives that is attempting to bring us low; but it's also being found in the evil that surrounds us in this world each day, which can make life seem even more hopeless. What we need to do right now; is to get alone with God and give Him the chance to listen to every hurtful thought and feeling that may be overwhelming the heart at the time. I truly believe that once we do this; then He will begin to replace those hurtful thoughts and feelings, with a peace that can allow us to be drawn even closer into His presence, where we can experience hope rather than despair.
Today, I praise God, for not only giving me these precious God inspired words to share with you; but I also thank Him for lifting my heart out of the muck and mire, of what I've been feeling and experiencing this morning! I truly pray that you too, will come to see that you are never alone during times such as these; for there is One who is always longing to listen to your heart; but remember…before He can listen, we must sit quietly in His presence and open our hearts up to Him.
What a great visit it has been today! As we part ways, I pray that you will have a very blessed day…filled with the presence of Almighty God…and that you will come back tomorrow, as we once more share another great God inspired visit together! May God truly bless your heart!
It's Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane 
*If you haven't yet accepted Jesus into your heart, I would like to invite you to check out… "Come to Jesus."

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "TIME ALONE WITH GOD" HERE
GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "DEVOTIONS THAT WILL EXCHANGE WEAKNESS FOR STRENGTH HERE

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; " 2 Corinthians 10:5

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Monday to you all! I sure hope that your weekend was a good one…and that this brand-new day will be the start of another great week…truly blessed by God!
As we begin our visit together today, let me ask you a question…"Have you ever had a moment when you seriously wanted to say the words…"I can't do this anymore?" You know…sometimes as humans, we have a breaking point…one where a plate of problems seems to overflow…to a place where we just can't seem to juggle everything that is coming at us at the time…and Friday was that day for me. 
After doing some work for the ministry that morning, I needed to do a few things in the kitchen…and from there, it seemed that the list of things that needed to be done kept growing throughout the day…and to top it off, I was dealing with pain in my left foot and knee, which made it seem even more difficult to accomplish everything that needed to be done. In fact, by the time I had finished everything…I could barely walk, and I would say that the pain level was now a 9, which we all know can affect our outlook on the day…or even for days to come.
Anyways, as I began to get around for the evening, so I could let my leg rest; one thought began to fill my mind like… "How are you going to start this all over again next week?" It seemed as if Satan was using this weak moment in my day, to convince me that I just wouldn't be able to keep going on much longer like this. There was even a moment when I was so tempted to say to Keith… "I don't know how I'm going to be able to go through another week like this;" but before those words could even reach my lips, I began to feel as if something was stopping me from speaking those words…and from there, I began to feel Jesus' presence entering those weak moments, in which I wasn't strong enough to get through on my own…and He reminded me that this kind of a response was what Satan was waiting to hear, so he could use these weak moments even more against me. So, I kept my mouth shut…and instead, I opened my mouth once more, to call out for Jesus' help, which actually gave Him the chance to reach down and help me.
You know…the overwhelming moments of deep hurt and pain can definitely attempt to have control over us, through the thoughts and feelings that accompany that hurt and pain…but what are we doing about it? Are we allowing these thoughts and feelings to control us even more…to the place where they lock us up within a prison cell of despair; or are we taking them down into captivity and handing them over to Christ? The one thing I was reminded of over the weekend; is that these overwhelming moments we face from time to time can either worsen or get better…just by how we react to them. No matter how tempting it may seem at the time…we should never give into Satan's ways and what he wants to hear from us, as a response to a problem that was originally given to us by him; for this will only enhance the problem.
Moments such as these may seem to be a hard and difficult battle to face…believe me, I know; but when we choose to turn to the One who can help us, rather than the one who can make matters worse; that is when we will come to truly see that we can overcome anything that Satan may use against us, as a means of bringing us down to a place of hopelessness.
I'll tell you…I have learned much over this past weekend…and my prayer now; is that you too, will find the strength to take hold of each thought and word that God has given us today; that you too, may come to see how you can also be an overcomer through Christ!
Well, it's time to move on and start another day; but I hope that you will come back again tomorrow and join me for another great God inspired visit! Please take care…and know that you are always in my daily thoughts & prayers! May God bless your heart so much, as you walk through each moment of this day with Him!
It's Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
*If you haven't yet accepted Jesus into your heart, I would like to invite you to check out… "Come to Jesus."

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "TIME ALONE WITH GOD" HERE
GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "DEVOTIONS THAT WILL EXCHANGE WEAKNESS FOR STRENGTH HERE

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:4

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Friday to you all! Last night, as I spent some very precious moments alone with the Lord; He took me back to a time in my life that truly brought some happy thoughts to my mind and heart…and today, I would like to share these thoughts with you…through this heartfelt writing.
Yesterday afternoon…after doing some office work and cooking, I decided to take a break and go outside and breathe in some fresh air. While I was out there, I also wanted to see if a few of my lilacs were in bloom enough to bring indoors. Every spring, I have looked forward to these fragrant flowers that seem to take me back to my childhood…where I once picked lilacs from my great-grandfather's bushes. I will never forget what I felt as a child, when I walked into his front yard in the springtime…to view the white and purple lilacs that outlined the curvature of his yard. With each step I took…the yard seemed to come alive even more with the fragrant beauty of these flowers. 
After enjoying the sweet aroma of these flowers for a while…a small bouquet was picked from the bushes…and from there, they were wrapped in wet paper towel and plastic wrap…to keep them alive until they were passed from my hands…to my teacher's hands. This became one of the most special memories that has always brought a warm feeling to my heart each spring.
Now, as I'm sitting here…enjoying another visit with you today, I am looking at a beautiful bouquet of lilacs in my office window…and as I smell the sweet aroma of these flowers; God is using these moments, to take me back to a memory that continues to bring a smile to my heart.
Throughout my life, I have endured so much pain and heartache; but yet God continues to use these hidden and treasured memories, to brighten a day that can sometimes seem so dismal. I don't know about you; but the awful memories of the past can make me feel so overwhelmed at times, along with the pain I endure on a daily basis; that is, until God pulls up a forgotten time in my life, from the file box of my mind…one that can make me see that life wasn't always so bad.
God definitely knows how to love and care for us like no other. In fact, I have come to see that He can use moments such as these, to bring a smile to a heart that can feel so overwhelmed by life. Maybe you too have been hurting in this way. If so, why not get alone with God and let Him walk you back to moments that can help you to reconnect to His loving faithfulness, rather than remaining locked up in these moments you are now facing; and from there, let these special moments with the Lord refresh you and take you away from the dismal moments you're experiencing right now; that you may be reunited with a hope that can help you to continue on. You know…the Lord doesn't have to help us in this way; but what I have come to truly see; is that He has a love like no other…a love that will go the distance for us, just so He can make our day a little bit brighter. Could it be that we are too caught up in how we feel at the moment; that our own thoughts have cluttered the heart and unknowingly pushed Him out? Right now, we just need to let go and give Him the time that He so longs to have with us, so He can love, hold and care for our broken spirits. One thing I can say to you today; is that once we give Him the room, He needs to care for us; that is when I believe that we will come to experience a love like no other.
What a great way to end the week! Thank you, Lord, for all the encouragement that you have given us…from your heart to ours this week! As we close this time together, I pray that you will have a very blessed weekend…and that you will return for another great God inspired visit on Monday! Take care…and may God truly bless your heart! See you on Monday...God bless!
It's Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
*If you haven't yet accepted Jesus into your heart, I would like to invite you to check out… "Come to Jesus."

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "TIME ALONE WITH GOD" HERE
GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "DEVOTIONS THAT WILL EXCHANGE WEAKNESS FOR STRENGTH HERE

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY
"…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5b​

​Hello everyone! I sure hope that your Thursday is turning out to be a good one! As I'm sitting here this morning…looking out onto a cloudy day, I see life continuing on, even in the midst of what could be a rainy day. The birds are singing with a heart of joy, as they take part in an unexpected meal for the morning. Even though the clouds have a way of convincing me that this just may not be a good day; God is once more reminding me that life is moving forward in the midst of it all…and I praise Him for these thoughts of hope today!
Lately, I have been thinking on all that has been taking place in this world around me. Just yesterday, there were 18 children and 2 adults killed in a grade school in Texas. You know…it's not always easy to understand why moments such as these happen. As I think on these grieving parents and families…my heart grieves for what they must be experiencing at this time; but even at moments such as these, I am being reminded that even though weeping may endure for the night…joy does come in the morning.
As I've been looking outside my window this morning onto a dreary day…looking for the good that could be found through it all; I have come to see that the trees still flourish…the grass still grows and the flowers continue to open up and bloom, which means that these cloudy and dreary days only become a night of weeping; but as the sun does shine once more…so also, does joy come back into that new day.
I don't know about you; but I can have days when the sun is being hidden within my heart…a time when pain and tiredness and other things seem to take me to a place where the heart weeps; but then another day comes and once more the heart is being opened up to a new time of refreshment, renewed hope and joy.
You know…I think that sometimes we become so caught up in the "nights of weeping;" that it's not always easy for us to imagine something better and new. In fact, we can experience moments, when we feel as if the weeping within the heart will never pass; but we must remember that even though these dreary days enter our lives; life does continue on…and storms do pass by, which can lead us once more into a new dawn…one that is once more filled with joy and new possibilities.
Recently, there was a moment when I was thinking deeply on this, while facing a hard and discouraging day…and from there I was reminded that when we let go of life and sit in the midst of these dreary moments; that this only prolongs what is already taking place. We need to keep moving on…no matter how difficult the journey may seem to be at the time; for I have found that when we seek and pursue something other than what we're facing at the moment; that this is when each step begins to walk us further away from the moments of weeping…and back into moments of joy.
Moments may come, when the hard winds blow and tears of rain fall deep within the heart; but it does pass and as these moments pass…the sun does shine again, so we need to wait out the storm with God and let Him hold us close, until we are once more led into the light of another new dawn.
Maybe today, you are grieving over the loss of someone or something in your life…or maybe you are down and discouraged, by what is taking place in this world around you. Maybe you have been experiencing endless moments of pain…or maybe you have received some bad news. No matter what it may be…weeping may endure for the night…and those nights of pain and deep heartache may seem long and never ending; but one thing I know, through all that I have experienced in my life; is that joy does come in the morning. Maybe it may not seem that way right now; but that's only because you are hurting; but let me encourage you to hold on and take hold of God; for a time will come, when He walks you out of these hard and discouraging times, to lead you into something better and brighter…so never give up.
As we close, I have to tell you…this writing was definitely unplanned; but I have come to see that these unplanned writings only reveal a God who longs to love and encourage us all, while facing the unexpected nights of weeping. May this writing be a blessing to you today and may God truly be close to your heart…no matter what you may be facing at this time.
Well…it's time for me to move on into some other work; but I hope that you will have a very blessed day…and that you will come back tomorrow and join me, for another great God inspired visit! God bless!
It's Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
*If you haven't yet accepted Jesus into your heart, I would like to invite you to check out… "Come to Jesus."

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "TIME ALONE WITH GOD" HERE
GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "DEVOTIONS THAT WILL EXCHANGE WEAKNESS FOR STRENGTH HERE

BIBLE VERSES FOR THE DAY
"How hast thou helped him that is without power? How savest thou the arm that hath no strength? 3) How hast thou counseled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? 4) To whom hast thou uttered words? And whose spirit came from thee? 14) Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?" Job 26:2-4, 14

​Hello everyone…and welcome back to another God inspired visit today! I am so happy to be with you…and share a heart of encouragement with you, from the One who is sharing His heart with all of us today; and I pray that our eyes, thoughts and hearts will truly be opened to what God is revealing to us at this time…Amen!
Last night, as I was relaxing for the evening, an unexpected thunderstorm began to shake everything around me, with lightning that lit up the yard outside my window. As each unexpected boom of thunder came…and as each bolt of lightning lit up the sky, I knew that God's presence wasn't far off in the distance.
As I continued to sit there and watch the storm pass through, I began to think on the power of this powerful God I serve. Just think…this powerful storm is only a sample of the power that God holds within Himself. While thinking on this, I began to wonder why we fear a circumstance that is truly weaker than this most powerful God. Could it be that our thoughts and imaginations are allowing us to see the problem in such a fearful way? Maybe we are putting more thought into the problem; that we begin to see and believe in a problem that just might overtake us and even defeat us.
This morning, as I sat in the living room and began to think on all that God had laid upon my heart last night, there was one thing that He truly opened my mind and heart to, which is this…"It's what we believe to be true; that makes one thing more powerful than another." Do we realize that we are the ones that enlarge a problem through thought and imagination, which actually makes the problem even bigger than it once was?  Look at it this way…Satan presents us with a weak problem, during other moments of weakness…and as our thoughts go deeper into the problem; that is when the problem begins to grow into something that can be overwhelmingly out of control, which can enhance the problem…to a place where Satan can take hold of the problem even more and use it against us. 
One other thing that I was thinking on this morning is this…Satan needs an enlarged problem to work with; because his power only allows him to work on weakness…from ground level. So, what does he do…he presents us with a weak problem and then he works with our thoughts and imaginations, as a means of allowing us to help him produce something even greater for him to work with.
You ask me this morning… "Diane, how can I prevent this from happening in my life?" Well, I would say the first thing we must do; is to stop feeding into the problem and let God work on our behalf. In other words, we need to let a powerful God deal with the problem and not allow our thoughts and imaginations to take hold of the problem and blow it out of proportion. We must remember that what we think on and believe to be true, will be what allows us to see the problem as something greater than anything, especially God…which from there, will cause us to bow down to the problem, with a heart of fear.
As I sat on this daybed last night…and even in the living room this morning, all I could say was… "WOW!" The way I see it right now; is that God is helping us to understand why we struggle to find God in the midst of a problem that seems so much greater than anything else at the time.
I don't know about you; but these God inspired words have truly lifted my heart and soul to a realm that has drawn me even closer to God. My prayer for you today; is that you will not allow a weak problem to be enhanced and blown out of proportion, by the way you perceive the problem. In fact, may I encourage you today, to instantly turn to God for help, when presented with a problem. Each day, we must be alert to Satan's tactics and ways…and turn to a God who can easily walk us through the problem, rather than allowing worry, fear and an imagination to enlarge the problem…to a place where Satan can use these hard and difficult times against us even more.
Well…I don't know about you; but my heart has been truly blessed today! As we close our visit, I pray that God will give you the strength to take hold of each word that has been written; that you may come to see that even though life isn't always easy…it can be easier, when a powerful and loving God is in control …Amen!
May you have a very blessed day…and may you truly experience this powerful God in your life each day! God bless you so much!
It's Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
*If you haven't yet accepted Jesus into your heart, I would like to invite you to check out… "Come to Jesus."

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "TIME ALONE WITH GOD" HERE
GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK COPY OF "DEVOTIONS THAT WILL EXCHANGE WEAKNESS FOR STRENGTH HERE