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.
Linda Proffitt – Louisville, KY
that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
Acts 17:27 ESV
Robyn Wong Rowell, GA
‘Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out-of-the-way of my people.’ Isaiah 57:14 NIV
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self’discipline.
Psalms 37:5 NLT
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.
Let the favor of the LORD our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands upon us, yes establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17
Kim Burnett
“He fulfills the desire of those who fear him he also hears their cry and saves them.”
Psalm 145:19
Thank you for sharing! Your testimony of God’s faithfulness in the difficult is a blessing.
Round Rock, TX
Romanos 12:16
Vivan en armonĂa los unos con los otros. No sean arrogantes, sino háganse solidarios con los humildes. No se crean los Ăşnicos que saben.
Leah Kirksey, Camden, Arkansas
“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV
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€Romans‬ â€1‬:â€16‬ NIV)
Heidi, DeLand, FL: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:17-18 NIV
He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. psalms 91:4 NLT
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV
Independence MO 2 Samuel 22 : 33 God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.
Stephanie, Paris, Texas. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”. Romans 15:13, NIV.
Independence MO I accidentally entered the wrong verse. The correct one is 2 Samuel 22 : 34 NKJV He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places.
The Lord is close to the broken heartes and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 NIV
Michone, Butte, MT
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Psalm 91:3-4
Lesley
Steamboat Springs, CO
Psalm 84: 10 NIV
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Tara Milligan, Stigler, OK. 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 NIV, “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Liane Kent – Harlowton MT – “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€19:14‬ â€NLT‬‬
Denise Korsmo Amarillo, TX “For thou O God, hast proved us: thou tried us, as silver is tried.” Psalms 66:10 KJV
Lori from Oil City, PA
“But the scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.” Galatians 3:22 (NLT)
Shannon Hoots Greensboro, NC Continuing memory work in the rich text of Psalm 103… Psalm 103:9-10 “He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve, or repay us according to our iniquities.” NIV84
Jill Sanders, Leachville, AR
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
~Romans 12:13
Shana, Milton, Fl
Romans 12:12 (NLT)
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.
Caroline Hucks
Conway, SC
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest,
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
Ashley, West Monroe ,LA
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€8:26‬ â€NIV‬‬
Melissa Dulaney, Circleville, OH
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.” Psalm 107:31, NIV
Martha, Georgetown, TX “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” NLT Ephesians 3:20
Proverbs 18:10, KJV
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower:the righteous runners into it, and is safe.”
Robin, Leo, IN “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:15 NIV
Sarah Jackson from Pasadena, TX
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
Too lofty for me to attain.
Psalm 139:6 NIV
Cindy, Deming, NM
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.
Romans 6:14 KJV
Cecilia, Pflugerville, TX
“Hide Your face from my sins and blot out my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:9-10 NIV
Kathy, Albuquerque, NM
2 Peter 1:3 HCSB
His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
Jen Pond, Iron River, MI
Romans 12:23 NLT
For everything comes from Him
and exists by His power
and is intended
for His glory
All glory to Him forever!
Amen.
Theresa Dau, Chesterfield, MO
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Diane LeJeune, Fairview, TN
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2 NIV
Rhonda – Houston
It’s not in me. Job 28:14 NCV
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Mary-Katherine, New Albany, OH
Psalm 143:8, NRSV
“Let me hear of your loving kindness in the morning, for I put my trust in you;
show me the road I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you.”
Tracey M, Margaree Valley, NS
“Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
Laura J from Katy, TX
Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
NIV
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.
Matt.5:6 NIV
Judy Heindl Cottageville, WV
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 KJV
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that
will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 NIV
Candra Brasel – Huntsville, AR
“Therefore, we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:9 NKJV
Nicole S., Oviedo FL, Phil 2:14 NIV, “Do everything without complaining or arguing,”
Valerie ~ Shawnee, OK
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
I Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV