Greetings Siestas and a hug to each of you! What a joy and honor it is to share here. Outside my dear family, there is no other group that I have enjoyed doing life with as much as with friends from this dear community. My name is Lora Lovin Osburn, and I live in Tennessee. I have been married to my husband Gary for 26 years and we have two lovely daughters. Our oldest, Audra Elizabeth, was married last year, and Victoria, our youngest, is studying pre-law. I enjoy the beauty of GOD’s creation, architecture, art, lamp lights, gardening, earrings, poetry and walking with my family and Lilly Belle (our 12 year old Maltese). Some of my best days are Sundays at my church with my family seated nearby, serving on the prayer team, and worshiping and applying the word with them.
We have had a year full of major life events including our youngest going to college, my invalid father moving in with us, our oldest getting married. There were numerous hospital trips, then selling our home, and moving to a new town. Many times the circumstances within the major events made me think that a hidden camera must be following me around! Life just seemed crazy at times. Though I would not have chosen the events of the last year to be knitted so closely together, I can say that my faith is stronger, my family is closer, my friends are dearer, and my sweet Jesus seems even nearer. The abundance GOD allowed me to experience through this year is why every phrase in this verse just lept off the page and into my heart:
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest,
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
“You crown the year”
I see GOD giving a crown at the beginning of the year. I cannot imagine any reality TV show that would start the season by announcing the winner or giving the prize at the beginning. Although it would seem to make for a lackluster, anti-climatic season to know in advance who wins; I feel like GOD has done that with us. Why would HE, who holds the highest rank and title, give a reward of victory, before the season begins? Because HE loves us and is for us! This is going to be a glorious year! I believe that every day of the year is encircled with a diadem from HIM.
“With a bountiful harvest”
Growing up working in our family garden, I thought that my dad had planted to feed an army, and not just for our family, because of the abundance; but Dad was able to give generously of the harvest, and I see our heavenly Father doing the same. When I see HIS overflowing cart of good gifts for us, I can’t help but think that this verse applies to us not only as individuals but also to the church. HIS Word also confirms that the harvest is great in the world. In spite of what we are going through ourselves, there is kingdom work to do! Let’s be active in picking up a basket and harvesting the fields where GOD has placed us so that many souls will be added to HIS kingdom. May we witness an outpouring of HIS SPIRIT on all people and may many lives be impacted by and for the Kingdom of GOD.
“Even the hard pathways”
If I had the choice of “two roads diverged”, I would certainly choose the one that resembles a flowery Monet painting, not a hard pathway. Who would choose a hard pathway? But, that aptly describes my last year. The example JESUS gives when faced with difficulty encourages me. JESUS submitted HIS will to GOD at the cross and wore a crown of thorns. GOD did get the glory with JESUS, and I pray HE does from our GOD-ordained steps.
“Overflow with abundance”
When the children were little we’d take walks to the park, and our youngest would stop and pick up rocks along the way. She wasn’t mining gems; but she was finding delight in the daily, ordinary pathway. Sometimes I just want my path to be easy like the walk to the park; but GOD has crowned the year with so much of HIM, so much of HIS glory, that even the hard, the difficult, the part that I think I’d rather not have, overflows with abundance. Even though we may be walking in a busy season, through a complex or challenging situation, or facing intense personal concerns, truth states that hard pathways overflow with abundance. I love that this is present tense! Hallelujah!!! I need that on my pathway today! How amazing is our GOD!!! There is such a sense of celebration here because HE can be seen, felt, experienced, and praised even during difficult days! Glory to HIS Name!
Let us offer thanksgiving, sing, dance and praise:
GOD pours out abundance on our hard pathways!
Believing that many souls will be harvested and saved,
And at the outpouring of GOD’s Spirit, may we be amazed!
I’m living in and looking for HIS overflowing abundance,
So thankful for this year and GOD’s crowning circumference.
Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Ephesians 4:25 NIV
Lisa, Mauldin, SC
For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
2 Corinthians 2:15 NKJV
Linda, Las Vegas, NV
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 NIV
Kim Freeman Fort Worth Texas, Psalm 119:102 ESV
I have not turned aside from your rules, for you have taught me.
Marianna, San Angelo, TX
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Correction– …a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Celebrate always, pray constantly, and give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. Thessalonians 5:16-18
Carolyn Webb, Grand Prairie, Texas. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh… Romans 8:3, NIV
Tempa Babington, Palm Bay. Fl,
“And, when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 NIV
Debbie B., Marietta, GA
Jeremiah 1:9
“Then The Lord reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth”
Sheri – OR
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteromony 33:27 KJV
Linda W. from Tomball, TX;
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Meg Alexandria, VA
“You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with My God I can scale a wall.” Psalm 18:27-29 NIV
Acts 20:35 NIV
In everything that I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Jen Ferguson, Cedar Park, TX
“Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.” Proverbs 12:12, NLT
Donna Reaves Burleson Texas. mrk.12.30.niv Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Dana Nance
Blue Ridge, Tx
The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
Psalm 103:19 NIV (1984)
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may life you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
I Peter 5:6-8
Jackie from Plano, TX
Isaiah 46:4 NIV – Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Martha McElhaney Ooltewah, TN
Ephesians 6: 12 HCSB
For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
Natalie
San Diego, CA
He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
I John 2:9 NKJV
Bobbie Jo
San Angelo TX
Teach me to do what you want, because you are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground. (â€Psalms‬ â€143‬:â€10‬ NCV)
Leslie – Cedar Grove, NC
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Kathy, Easley SC
“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.”
Titus 3:14 NIV
Jann Sanicola Holtsville New York
Psalm‬ â€63:1‬ â€NIV‬‬
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”
Amanda Dales, Rockhampton, Queensland
If you make the Most High your dwelling, even the Lord who is my refuge
Psalm 91:9 NIV
Valerie Gordon, Columbus, GA
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25 ESV
Spring Lake, N.C.
PSALM 135:6 ( NIV )
The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth,I
n the seas and Ă ll their depths.
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory,
and the lifter up of mine head.
Psalms 3:3 KJV
Michelle, Alberta, Canada
“And now, Israel, what dos the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul,”
Deuteronomy 10:12
Janet from Odessa, TX
. “He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;”
. Daniel 2:21 ESV
DeQuincy, LA
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:16 NKJV
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)
“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Susan
Tyler, TX
September 15, 2015 At 3:00 p.m.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
Spring Lake, N.C.
PSALM 135:6 ( NIV )
The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth,in the seas and Ă ll their depths.
Janet from Midlothian, Texas
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Lisa Cummings, Joaquin, TX
“Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:4
Sandra, Rock Hill, SC
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
John 14:1 NIV
“Come, let us return to the Lord.
For He has torn us,
and He will heal us;
He has wounded us,
and He will bind up our wounds.”
Hosea 6:1 HCSB
Christine, Greenville, SC
Galatians 3:29, “And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.” (NLT)
Judy C- New Braunfels,TX-
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
â€â€2 Corinthians‬ â€13:14‬ â€NIV‬‬
9-15-15 Jekyll Island, GA Pat Wagar
“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.'”
I Corinthians 2:9 NLT
Charlotte Skadal, Houston, Texas
“May Your lovingkindness also come to me, O Lord,
Your salvation according to Your word;
So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.”
Psalm 119:41-42. (NASB)
Wanda Calderwood
Crofton, Maryland
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
Teresa, Tyler TX
Commit yourself to instruction, listen carefully to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12 NLT
Carla LaFayette, Al.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1Peter 5:7 NIV
Angie Wilt, Kansas City, Missouri. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 NIV
Debbie Baker
Las Vegas, NV
Immediately, the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24 NIV
Amanda Teske, Chandler AZ
the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:8 ESV
Sheila Oakes
Cary, NC
Psalm 65:11 NLT
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.