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.
Enjoy serving the Lord and he will give you what you want.
Psalm 37:4
Emma Mierta Davison, MI Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. NIV
JulieB
Sharpsburg, Ga.
Psalm 86:11-12 ESV
“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.”
Valerie
Clinton, Me
“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” ~Daniel 2:22 (NIV)
Hillary Dickey, D’iberville, MS
“And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:7 NIV
Cassie Oring, Murfreesboro, TN. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,”
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€3:16-18‬ â€NIV
Jamie C. Irvine Ky.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Leigh: Shorter, AL – I say to myself, ” The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:24 NLT
Berni, Albuquerque
“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
Janelle MacKay, Malta, NY “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,”
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€3:16-18‬ â€NIV
Pam Worcester, Glen Elder, Kansas
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 (ESV)BE AUDADACIOUS!
This was my verse when my daughter was sick with leukemia. I liked KJV, starts with for I reckon…
Soni in Gulfport: 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NASB)
Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Paula, Dalhart, TX
“With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.” Psalm 60:12 NIV
La Plata, MD.
“and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”
Ephesians 6:15 NKJV
Natalie, Anchorage AK
Philippians 1:4-6 NIV
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Robin Burd Columbia, SC
” But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me
My Glory, and the Lifter up of mine
Head”. Psalms 3:3
Sandie, Albuquerque
“If I should count them, they are more in number than the
sand: when I awake, I an still with thee”.
Psalm 139:18 KJV
Carol Peavy, Jena, LA
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 (NLT)
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
2 Thess. 3:3 (HCSB)
“But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. “
Traci McNally, Evansdale, Iowa
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7 NIV
Prescott, Az
Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
NASB
Elizabeth Marchman Blue Ridge, GA
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand. ~ Ezekiel 33:6 nkjv
Betty Clark Ann Arbor, MI “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 ESV
Amy Spry
Dothan, AL
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV
Downtown Tonya Brown from Watauga, Tx:
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT
Kristen, Liberty, MO
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm16:11 NIV
Susan Sarver, St. George UT
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God,so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.
I Peter 5:6-7 HCSB
Doris Ann Barnes, Manchester, GA
John 16:33 (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Sandy F from Bowie, MD
“strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;”â€â€Colossians‬ â€1:11‬ â€NKJV‬‬
Molly P. Portland, OR “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Elmwood, Tennessee
“I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 (GNT)
Deena from Amarillo, Texas
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:15-16(NET)
Lori Austin, Tx
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalms 65:11 NLT
Tajuana ~ Texas
Proverbs 27:19 NIV
“As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart.”
Denise from Snowcreek, VA. Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.
Deborah Flora Sawyer, KS
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
Philippians 1:9 NIV
Kim Foley, Arnold, MD
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breast plate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14-15 NIV
Karen, Flower Mound, TX
Romans 1:12 NIV.
That we might be mutually strengthened, encouraged and comforted by each others face, both yours and mine.
Rebecca Holmes, Birmingham, Alabama
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
â€â€1 Thessalonians‬ â€5:16-18‬ â€NIV‬‬
Lori, Edenton, NC
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
Pro 31:30 NLT
Paula, Maine
“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€61:3‬ â€NLT‬‬
The Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strenghten your frame, you will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11-12 NIV
Jeannine Hale
Eagan, MN
You came near when I called You, and You said, “Do not fear.” You, Lord, took up my case; You redeemed my life.
Lamentations 3:57-58 (NIV)
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
â€â€Philippians‬ â€4:6‬ â€NLT‬‬
Marge-Chili,Wisconsin
Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” NIV
Tanya from Kenosha Wisconsin
As part of a segment Ms. Beth asked the Daniel bible study ladies to memorize. So since I’m doing this bible study right now this is my verse. Only Vs. 22 is to be memorized. The rest is what I have memorized so far.
Daniel 2:20-22
Praise the name of God forever and ever for He has all wisdom and Power. He controls the course of world events. He removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. (Vs.22)–He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness though He is surrounded by light.
Deborah Bell, Bridgeton, New Jersey
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Lamentations 3:24 KJV
Lisa Curtis
Jackson, MO
Strength and honor are her clothing. Proverbs 31:25
perfect because I don’t have anything to wear!
Jan Witt, Rockwall, TX
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 ESV
Lord may I have the audacity to hold tight with all my might to Romans 8:18!
“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
â€â€John‬ â€14:6‬ â€NLT‬‬
emi, white house, tn: “…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,” Ephesians 6:18-19 ESV