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.
Ria Agterhof-Hinloopen
Nieuw-Vennep, Nederland
..en Hij heeft ons naar Zijn wil en verlangen voorbestemd om in Jezus Christus Zijn kinderen te worden…
Efeziërs1:5 NBV
Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.
Denise Ramser Gambier Ohio: I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16 NET
Ruth Morrison, Sherwood, OR – “So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 (CEV)
Martha, Cocoa, FL
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
You keep him in perfect peace , whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever,for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Mary Lupo, Novi, MI
“..far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age, but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:21-22 NIV
Vickie from Spokane,Wa.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge
of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Kathy
St. Louis, MO
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8 (NIV’84)
Lori Thompson
McKinney, TX
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (â€Psalm‬ â€139‬:â€12‬ NIV)
Ashley Lewis, Marshalltown, Iowa
2 Cor. 9:8 – And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Stephanie Morris, Norman Ok
“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 NKJ
Brenda, Ottawa, Canada
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
Cathy, Russellville, AR
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
Genesis 12:2
Fairfield Ca.
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
For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ, Colossians 1:19 NLT
Cara Reyes
Dickinson Texas
“Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€16:11‬ â€ASV
Kelly Cut-n-Shoot Tx
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€23:5‬ â€AMP‬‬
Sherry Page
Elizabeth,CO
Daniel 2:20-22 NIV
“Praise be to the name of God forever and ever;
wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.”
Colossians 3:23 NIV –
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Anita Siecker, Purcellville, VA
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
Psalm 73:28
NIV84
Sharon Crow, Winchester, VA
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
Rachel, Mt. Carmel, PA – “Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.” – Psalm 139:18, NIV
Claudia , Franklin, TN. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” KJV
1 Peter 2:9
Kayla Davisson, Fort Wayne, IN
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20, NIV
Phoebe Cunningham, Tucson, AZ
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV
Lisa Landis
Castro Valley, CA
Psalm 147:20 NIV
“He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws. Praise the Lord.”
Linda from Enumclaw
Psalm 24:4. Esv
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift his hands to what is false and is not swear deceitfully
1 Samuel 30:6 AMP
David was greatly distressed for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
Jamie, Tyler, Tx
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
Brentwood, TN
…because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NIV)
Judy Berey, Mandeville, LA Hebrews 12:1 RSV
“Therefore,since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”
1 Samuel 30:6 AMP
David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
Peggyann, Crestview, Florida
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
Colossians 3:17 NASB
Always remember Jesus Loves You and so do I.
Ruth Somers
Baton Rouge, LA
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NASB
Nancy Bradshaw Melbourne, Florida
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold
of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 NIV
Beth Evans
Kingfisher,OK “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€1:16‬ â€NIV‬‬
Valerie Maddox – Humble, Texas
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
â€â€Colossians‬ â€2:6-8‬ â€ESV‬‬
Valerie. Ontario (Mansfield), OH
” Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.”
Romans 8:18. NLT
Ginger K. ~ Shelby Twp, MI ~ II Timothy 4:4 (NIV) ~ “They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
“Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts, boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. NIV
Nell Brinkley. Chattanooga tn. He who testifies to these things says, “surely I am coming soon.” Amen come lord Jesus ! Revelation 22;20
Lori Pannell, Houston, Texas
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;” Isaiah 40:29-30
Katie Nicholls ~ Tucson, AZ
You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. Psa 65:11 ESV
Jody Bowhay Hsv, AL NIV
1Thessalonians 5:5
You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
DeLand, Florida
Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech
Proverbs 4:24 New Living Translation
Laurie, Georgia
Colossians 2:12 ESV
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
The Lord will fight for you must be quiet.
Exodus 14:14
Courtney, Lima, Ohio. “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 (NLT)
Holly Barrett, Crossnore NC
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
I John 5:14 NIV
Gina Rosamond Ca
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV