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.
Pam Jackson, Blue Springs, MO
Ephesians 6:11 (ESV) “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Mary Fadel Cordova, MD
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€15:13‬ â€ESV‬‬
Cambridge, MN
Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:26
Jennifer Watson, ruston, la
Rev 17:14 (NASV) these will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.
Kelsey Chance, Shawnee, KS
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.”
â€â€James‬ â€3:13‬ â€NET‬‬
Betty Mullaney, Brown City, Michigan. John 17:3 Now this is life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (Day late AGAIN! Sorry!)
“of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€103:18‬ â€NLT‬‬
Carolyn, St. Catharine’s, ON
If you make the Most High your dwelling — even the Lord who is my refuge — then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
Psalm 91:9-10 (NIV)
Judy Rowland Louisville, KY
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Lisa Zink
Chickasha, OK
1 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. (â€Romans‬ â€15‬:â€1‬ HCSB)
Elsie – Scottsbluff, NE
Jeremiah 17:14 ESV Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.
James 1:1 (NKJV)
James, a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
Greetings.
Springfield MO
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Isaiah 64:4 (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Maureen, St. Clair Shores, MI. “Dear Friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice.” (Proverbs 4:20 Msg)
Midlothian Tx
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.
John 14:21, NIV
Stacie Kilgore, Lee’s Summit, MO
1 Thessolonians 4:16-18
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (KJV)
LeAnn Nichols. Spring, TX.
“The LORD is my Strength and my Song; He has become my Salvation.”
Psalm 118:14 (NIV)
Jennifer, Tomball, TX
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Rom 8:15 NIV
Carrie Gill, Tyler, TX. “Be alert and of sober mind. 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 the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings ”
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV
Toni Sidler, Argyle, TX
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. Ephesians 5:23, NASB
Jenni, Murray, KY
“So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.”
â€â€Matthew‬ â€6:34‬ â€NET‬‬
Lindsey, Scenery Hill, PA
Psalm 94:19 (esv)
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Valarie, Cincinnati “You crown the year with a bountiful harvest,
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
Beautiful reminder! Thank you
Danielle, Evansville IN
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 ESV
mary, Frisco TX Psalm 119:130 NIV “The unfolding of your words gives light…”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€119:130‬ â€NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/psa.119.130.niv
Psalms 42 vs. 1-4 Sue,houston, tx NIV
As the deer pants for streams of water,
So my soul pants for YOU. Oh God.
My soul thirsts for God, the living God
When can I go and meet with God
My tears have been my food day and night
While men say to me all day long. Where is your God.
These things I remember as I pour out my soul
leading the procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and thanksgiving.
Kelly Davis, Danville VA. Exodus 15:2 (A)
The Lord is my strenght and my song; He has become my salvation.
Sharon West, Miller, MO
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10. NIV
Tina Lockhart, Gulfport, Ms
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
Natalie, Houston TX
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV
Sally, Gahanna, OH
“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.”
Proverbs 31:20-21 NIV
Psalm 92:1-3 (ESV)
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning,and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.
Susan, Houston, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!'” Romans 8:15 ESV
Redfield, AR
Ephesians 6:16 (NKJV)
[16]Â above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Sabrina , Bryant, Ar. But those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Is. 40:31
Sheilah, Melbourne, Florida
Psalm 36:8-9 (ESV). For with You is the fountain of life; and in Your light do we see light. Oh, continue Your steadfast love to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright of heart!
Kerry, Nederland, TX
They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.
Psalms 112:7-8, NLT
Tonya
Apex, NC
“And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:4 (NASB)
Terri Fullerton, Abilene, TX
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.1 Peter 5: 6-7
Candy from St Louis
“one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€4:6 NIV
Robbyn Hanstad, Frisco, Texas
Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Brenda, Midlothian, VA “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 KJV
Erin D., Fayetteville, AR
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure;
then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere.”
James 3:17 (NIV)
Betty Murphrey, Wendell, NC
Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear friends, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
Lynn P., Fairview, OK – I know, dear God, that you care nothing for the surface—you want us, our true selves—and so I have given from the heart, honestly and happily. And now see all these people doing the same, giving freely, willingly—what a joy!
~1 Chronicles 29:17 (MSG)
Isaiah 41:13
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says
to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”
Jen B, Santa Maria, CA – Psalm 92:6 (NASB) 6 A senseless man has no knowledge, Nor does a stupid man understand this:
Adina Berkner , Pittsburgh PA
If I count them they will outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up I am still with You.
Psalms 139:18 HCSB
Sue from Kalamazoo, MI
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3 (NIV)
Rebecca, Akron OH
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23, NIV