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.
Bianca, Moose Factory, Ontario
James 5:12. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by the heavens or by the earth, or with any other oath. But, let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgement.NKJV
Beth, I did your James study 3 years ago and this verse is finally hitting me right in the chest. Thank you.
Robin Byrd, Columbia SC
“I cried into the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me out of His Holy
Hill” Selah. KJV
Tami J. Fall City, WA
“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:1 HCSB
Anne Stinnette, Koror,Palau. “and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus,” Eph. 2:6 NASB
Karen Steggerda, Des Moines, IA
“Show me the right path O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” Psalm 25:4-5 NLT
Carolyn, Orofino, Idaho
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Amy Maschhoff, Fifty Lakes MN
My command is this: LOVE each other as I have LOVED you. John 15:12 (NIV)
Sarah, Kingwood, TX
““Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€55:1‬ â€NKJV‬‬
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest,
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
Heather Evans, Bryan, TX. “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3(NIV)
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.
Psalm 147:11 NKJV
Dee Ann from Henderson, TX
Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for 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.
Tammy Disch, Garland, TX. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would even dare to die. Romans 5:7 (NASB)
Kathy, Bolivar, MO
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Salem, VA
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22,23 ESV
Becky, Cleveland,Tn. “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
â€â€Proverbs‬ â€16:24‬ â€NIV‬‬
Psalm 51:6
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Tori D. Mays
Elmer, La
Nancy Terwilliger – Lebanon, Tn
And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another just as God also forgave you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32
HCSB
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
(Psalm 119:130)
Tori D. Mays
Elmer, La
Beverly Welch, Dallas, NC
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Ps 119:2 KJV
Mary, Winter Park, FL
“They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Jer 1:19 NIV
Terri Sickles, Richmond, MO
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
Mark 8:36 ESV
Tina D Clovis, NM
Ps 33:22 NLT
Let your unfailing love surround us Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
Jamie Cormier, Lufkin Texas
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Psalm 55:22, ESV
Karin
Medina, MN
“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. I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you; and all the people of the earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:2&3 NIV
Sherri, Albuquerque
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
Linda Speer Edmonton Ab
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will
Sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Ronda from Murfreesboro, TN
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2 NLT
Alicia Stewart (Loveland, CO)
“May you prosper greatly!”
Daniel 6:25c | NIV
Billie, Franklin, TN
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 NASB
In honor of starting Prisilla Shirer’s study this week, “The Armor of God”
Sherry from Perry, Georgia
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
Karen Erickson, Richardson, TX
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
NKJV Psalm 34:17
Cece, Gilbert, AZ
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
Lauren from Steinbach, Manitoba:
“Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”
– Ephesians 4:23
Susan Bostaph. Buffalo, NY
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1Peter 5:6-8 (ESV)
Julie Ratcliff, Texarkana, TX, “Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€25:4-5‬ â€NLT
Marsha R. Lexington Park, MD
Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble,
Psalm 119:165 NIV
Melany E., Van Alstyne, TX
1 Corinthians 8:6 (HCSB)
yet for us there is one God, the Father.
All things are from Him,
and we exist for Him.
And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ.
All things are through Him,
and we exist through Him.
Fawnda Dooley Denton, TX
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s might hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”
1 Peter 5:6 NIV
1 Samuel 12:12
” And do not turn aside;
for then you would go after empty things
which cannot profit or deliver;
for they are nothing.”
Sarah Winslow Franklin, TN
Proverbs 12:15 NIV – The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
Sandy Hartley, Clatskanie OR
James 5:16 (NIV/KJV mix)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The effectual, fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much.
Paula, OKC, OK: “Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” James 3:15 NIV
Cheryl in Fairhope, – Loving this verse!!! “You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
Ann, Cataula, GA
James 1:5, 6 (NLT)
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
Mary Jane, Troy KS
“Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Hannah Hancock from Winter Haven, FL
“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
-Colossians 3:3 (NKJV)
Faye from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
“I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€94:18-19‬ â€NLT‬‬
Deborah, Hartsville, SC “Morever, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” -Ezekiel 36:26 NASB
Liza Kirschner Monmouth Junction, NJ
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)