Laying your Isaac down

I am praying for you all and especially those of you who are having such struggles today.  I was reading Jesus Calling and had hoped to copy but can't get it done so will type it for you because it is so important.

"Entrust your loved ones to me; release them into My protective care.   They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands.  If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one---as well as yourself.  Remember the extreme measures I used with Abraham and Isaac.  I took Isaac to the very point of death to freee Abraham from son-worship.  Both Abraham and Isaac suffered terrible because of the father's undisciplined emotions .  I detest idolatry, even in the form of parental love.

When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand.  As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them.  My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest.  This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me.  Watch to see what I will do.  

When they reached the place God had told him him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.  He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.  Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.  But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven,  "Abraham! Abraham!

"Here I am," he replied.

"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said.  "Do not do anything to him.  Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

Are you holding on to your loved one?  The thing that really struck me this morning is that you can't hold on to God's hands if you are holding on to any thing or anyone else.  You have to let go.  He does give you a choice. 

Is God testing your heart today??  Have you truly let go.  When Abraham drew back to plunge the knife in Isaac God said ok Abraham now I know what choice you have made.  You have given your one and only Son.

If you haven't laid down your Isaac it might be time today.  Then when you release He can work, not only on them but on you.  Oh I am praying for your release this morning.

I love you all

Sandra

Post Retirement Decisions

I retired recently and have been questioning whether I should try to keep my nursing license active so that I could work IF it became necessary. I have also wondered if I should try another part time job like pet sitting, sitting with patients,  painting, selling Shakly, or writing. It is a little disconcerting to quit bringing in any monies upon retirement.  So I have been asking the Lord to show me clearly what He wants me to do.  I want to be obedient to His direction and have the faith not to second guess Him.

The other day I had my quiet time on the screened in porch.  I love to be outside listening to the birds (especially the cooing of the doves). I also enjoy the breeze marching through the trees and watching the flowers as the butterflies come and go.  Often times I can also have a quick visit with a neighbor as they pass by.

I decided to go down into the flower garden the other day and left my Bible open on the porch.  The breeze blew my pages and when I returned my eyes fell on Psalm 45.  As I scrolled down that chapter one verse got my attention:  "My heart overflows with a "godly theme; I address my psalm to a king.  My tongue is as the pen of a ready writer."  I believe God was saying this is what I want you to do; write.  Now I am not the best writer in the world, but I love to journal about how God has worked in my life or shown me direction or spoken from His word.

So I have made a commitment to blog again and I want to submit some articles to some magazines and see if I can get any interest from them.  Pray for me as I pursue this adventure.