There is Always Room for One More

Light at the Garden Gate by Dee Kamp

 

There is Always Room for One More

What a surprise God had for me today! I was sorting through old folders and found a typed sheet of paper with a prophetic word spoken to me several years ago, and now with great delight I discover it all to be true today.

 It was all about following God freely into new discoveries and new places. Even some new ways that I might consider at times way out of my comfort zone.

 And the wise words of this saint said to me, “God doesn’t care about our comfort zone-get over that. He is our comfort zone! He delights in you, delight in Him!”

 “He brought me out into a spacious place;

he rescued me because he delights din me.”

 Psalm 18:19 NIV

 

He knows exactly what delights our hearts, He knows how to reach our thinking, searching our hearts to inspire and encourage us in ways we could never imagine, or ever imagine doing without Him.

So I prayed to the Lord this morning and said, “How many new ways, new ideas, new places and challenges can there be room for in my life Lord?”

I smiled then, for in that same instant an image came into my mind of a clothes closet. A hanger with a new dress is being hung amid all the other clothes. Well I muse, there is always room for one more piece of clothing― every woman knows that!

 And in this I understand and acknowledge there is always room in our hearts for one more of God’s great new plans for us, to heal our broken hearts, to give us peace and strength. He will be the light in our valley and help us to climb to new heights of faith, fellowship and inspiration when we draw into a deeper relationship with Him.

We belong to Him and He belongs to us. We shouldn’t expect to be surprised by what God can pull off, pull together, arrange, rearrange and bless us in ways we never imagined.

Changing our clothes, changing our face, changes nothing. But facing change with faith in God can change everything.

Even when we think the closet of our heart is too full of stuff, there is always room for more. God finds a delightful way of bringing something new to slip right into our lives to inspire and encourage us every step of the way. With God, there is always room for something new to discover about Him.

“There is Always Room for One More” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© March 31, 2015

 

Reflection of Hope

flowering cherry blooms by Dee Kamp

 

Reflection of Hope

On one bright and sunny day I finally got around to washing the car and even polished up the chrome and cleaned the mirrors. Satisfied with my hard work I went back into the house to get a nice cold glass of iced tea. When I returned to the yard to sit on the patio I gazed once more at the car’s spiffy shine. That’s when I nearly dropped my glass of tea at what I saw happening to those gleaming chrome mirrors!

 

“Satan, who is the god of this world,

 has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.

They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.

They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ,

who is the exact likeness of God.”

 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT

The chrome mirror on the driver’s side of my car was all smeared and dirty! Looking around I saw the culprit, a brightly colored Tanager. With a satisfied flick of this tail feathers he flew up into the nearby cherry tree. The silly Tanager, all he could see in that mirror was his own reflection, but to him it was a bird who had to leave!

The allure and temptation of this world’s brightness and glamour in new material things to bring happiness is as false as what the little sparrow saw in the mirror.

Satan distracts, confuses and uses the trick of mirrors and smoke to distract and distort what will bring one peace, joy and contentment.

But for those of us who have Jesus our heart have a story of lightness and truth to share.  God’s Word and our story of God’s great love a reflection of the beauty of Christ in our heart. Armed with the Truth of His promise we are able to share with others that reflection giving hope to others in this dark and troubled world.  

 “God so loved the world…” (John 3:16) Jesus said. And that is why I keep going, even into my eightieth years, because we’ve a story to tell the nations, a story of love and light.” Corrie Ten Boom Tramp for the Lord

“A Reflection of Hope” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© March 26 2015

 

Perfect Protected Peace

Great Pyrenees by Dee Kamp

 

 

Perfect Protected Peace

I drove more slowly than usual on the two lane highway that leads past the Spring Hill farm. It’s was warm a spring day and the fields of the little sheep farm in a beautiful valley with deep velvet green pastures and pools of cool still waters.

The sheep roam in this state of assurance for they have watching over them a beautiful and powerful caretaker, a Great Pyrenees sheep dog. The ever watchful dog is ever watchful for danger to the sheep and never takes his eyes off of the sheep both day and night. They are in in a place of perfect protected peace.

“I look up to the mountains-

does my help come from there?

My help comes from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble;

 The one who watches over you will not slumber,

Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

(Psalm 121:1-4 NLT)

 

We have this assurance God is ever faithful and He promises to be with us day and night, for He neither slumbers nor sleeps. We too can enjoy this perfect protected peace. Nothing ever diverts, nor is able to distract God, our Great Shepherd, from watching over His beloved sheep.   

“Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,

Just when I falter, just when I fear;

Ready to help me, ready to cheer,”

Just when I need Him most.—William C. Poole, Beneath His Wings

 

“Perfect Protected Peace” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© March 23, 2015

Snug As A Bug In The Rug

Grandmother's 1930's  Biscuit Quilt

 

Snug As A Bug In The Rug

When I was a child my maternal grandparents lived in the same city too.  But when I would go and stay with them it was as if I was staying in another land. A land of peace, safety and tranquility.  

And then with great excitement I waited as one of my favorite moments when my grandmother would tuck the covers of the little bed up in the chilly attic then as promised cover me with the treasured handmade quilt made long before I was born.

I waited for her to say it, then giggle when she did, “You are safe and sound and now snug as a bug in the rug.”

I snuggled deep down, the heavy quilt weighing me down in sheltered rest, grandma’s love and prayers sending me off to untroubled sleep.  I doubt anyone could feel so warm and secure.

 “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD make me dwell in safety.”

 

Psalm 4:8 NKJ

Now I know God blessed me with a wonderful grandmother for the security, love and comfort I needed most in those trying years of growing up. But now my greatest security is in God Himself. For no one can be more secure, young or old than in God’s promised care.

And now, as a grandmother too, I yearn to comfort my grandchildren in this troubled world. I pray they will be able to feel secure and watched over and dearly loved. And when we do talk to them, be it Skype, text or even-person to person- I can honestly say, “God is your shelter, your comforter, and you will always be held safe in His everlasting arms― snug as a bug in the rug.”

“Leaning leaning, safe

Safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.”- Hoffan

 

“Snug As A Bug In The Rug” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© March 16, 2015

Sapling Trees

Photo by Dee Kamp
 

Sapling Trees

 

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;

 I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.” Psalm 52:8 NIV

King David compared himself to an olive tree thriving in the house of God because he knew the Lord walked by his side. Like a new sapling tree planted in the spring that needs stakes to hold it up, we too need to lean and depend upon God.  

So it is with the Christian life. When we plant God’s Truth in our heart we are nourishing our soul and putting down deep roots of faith that will enable us to thrive and grow in the house of God. The Word of God will sustain us in all seasons of our life, and even for all generations of our families who will witness our growing faith in the Lord.

“His shoots will sprout. And his beauty will be like an olive tree. And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.” Hosea 14:6

 God’s Word is like a field of grass, with new patches of fresh green sprouts tasty and good, each new day. We’ll always be a saplings if we depend upon ourselves. One who chooses to be nourished in God’s Word will find themselves in a glorious personal relationship with Him.

With our faith planted in God’s Word, we’re destined to become like the olive tree with its bountiful branches spread out, with our roots running deep.

 No, let us not settle to be mere sapling trees but take up God’s offer to thrive and grow in in His house forever and ever.

“Sapling Trees” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© March 10, 2015

Counseling in the Night

Photo by: Dee Kamp

 

Counseling in the Night

My shoulders slumped as I read the office hours of the counselor at my son’s school. There they were, the limited office hours, written boldly in big black letters and I was there on the wrong day and time. So I went to the Counselor Jesus promised us. The One who never sleeps, is never too busy and never sets boundaries on the hours in which I can seek Him when I needed it the most.

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:26 NIV

 

I learned a big lesson years ago. Before I step out for counsel, or pick up the phone to call anyone who comes to mind, or to look at self-help books or hundreds of internet sites, I first bend my knees in prayer.

“I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me.

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Psalm 16: 7-8 NIV

 

Even in the night the Lord counsels us. Haven’t we all had a sudden solution to a problem come when we slept? I once had a dream where to find my missing watch that was a cherished anniversary gift from my husband.

 For almost one full year I sought anxiously for it and then began to pray in earnest for it. Then one morning I felt inspired to look in the oddest place of all, a place where I would not normally think to consider. I was to look in my husband’s jewelry box! And sure enough there it was. We had been in the midst of moving when it went missing and I must have put it in there in the rush and confusion of packing.

After praying into the night for counseling for our son, by morning I felt inspired to seek a well-liked teacher he had the year before. She was most considerate and insightful helping us with a situation that was not class room related at all and we were able to work things out.

Lessons learned, and counseling received from the Holy Spirit are placed into our hearts when we pray and embedded in our life experiences to share and encourage others.

“Counseling in the Night” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© March 6,

Even Moment by Moment

Man alone on Beach by Dee Kamp

 



Even Moment by Moment

 

Our prayers are propelled by the power of the Holy Spirit rocketing past the moon, beyond the stars, across the universe reaching our loving God, who overflows us with His blessings.

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:12-13

Our prayers to God can move heaven and earth to transform the weak, restore the sick, purge the possessed, open prison-doors and heal the broken hearted.  

Our prayers have the power to reach Jesus who washes away our sins, repels temptations, extinguishes persecutions, consoles the fainthearted, cheers us on, guides the travelers, stills the roaring seas of our fears, makes evil men stand aghast, nourishes the poor, governs the rich, upraises the fallen, comforts and sustains the faithful.

Through prayer we align ourselves to the purpose, power and will of God. How awesome it is to know we can trust in the Lord to be listening every time we seek Him, day by day, into the night and even- moment by moment.  

  “I have designed you to need me moment by moment. As your awareness of your neediness increases, so does your realization of My abundant sufficiency. I can meet every one of your needs…..Approach My throne of grace with bold confidence, receiving My Peace with a thankful heart.” Jesus Calling,  

 

“Even Moment by Moment” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© March 3, 2015