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.
Judy, Panama City, Fl
Jeremiah 9:24 NASB
“but let him who boast boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD
Brenda Gerber from Grafton, Ohio
Romans 4:24 (NIV)
” but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness, for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.”
Beverly, Lexington, KY
I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stoney, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. Ezechial 36:26-27 NLT
Debbie, Huntsville, AL So let’s keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.
Hebrews 4:11 MSG
Joy West Monroe, LA
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
Angie; Belleville, IL;
Eph 6:14 Msg – “Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet.”
Yvonne Gearing – Kingman, AZ
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
there was a man sent from God, whose name was John. John 1:6
Sarah, St. Louis, MO
“O God, You know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from You.
Let not those who hope in You be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek You be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.”
Psalm 69:5-6 (ESV)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 ESV
Linda H., Buckeye, AZ
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14
Ps. 34:3
O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.
NASB
Carolyn Medlin Oceanside Ca Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me.
Psalm 66:20 NIV
Janene Ford, Henley, MO.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
Sheryl Potts, Monroe, LA
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God with reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.” Heb. 12:28-29
I already had this verse written in my SSMT book and then opened LPM’s post yesterday giving highlights from the Audacious Simulcast, and there was my verse!!
Psalm 56:3 NLT But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
Melissa Stevens, Kingwood TX
Kelly, Merritt Island, FL:
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalms 56:3-4 NIV
Gail, Atascadero, CA
The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
Isaiah 60:19 NIV
Carolyn Dover, Ohio
“the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.”
Psalm 146:8 NIV
Connie-Fulton, KY
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV
Gretchen, Gahanna, Ohio–This is the work (service) that God asks of you; that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger]. John 6:29 AMP
Misty – Pflugerville, TX “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give.” Galatians 6:9
Tshaka; Belgium; And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.
1 John 2:28 NIV
Anne Eppright, Round Rock, Tx
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.
“He changes times and seasons; “he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.”
Daniel 2:20-22
Sheila H., Mitchell, MB, Canada
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,”. 1 Peter 5:6 (NASB)
Sue-Elise Flowers, Burkesville, kY – NIV, Proverbs 4:23 :”Above all else, guard your heart. For everything you do flows from it.”
Fruita, CO
“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.
John 12:24-25 MSG
Karen Penn, Sturgis, Mich. “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 realm” Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Rhonda McKamie – OKC
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3
Mountain House, CA
Psalm 34:4 (NASB)
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
I am working through memorizing Psalm 34. Praise God that He helps us to hide His Word in our hearts!
Sara Meredith
Morton IL
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word I do hope.
Psalm 130:5 KJV
MaryJo ~ Plainfield, IN
For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. Psalm 92:4 (NIV)
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NASB)
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 endurance the race that is set before us,
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Kristinia, Metairie, LA
1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in he spirit.
Kay, Deer Park TX
Romans 8:18ESV
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Beth Crocker, Madison, WI – “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:12 NIV
janna Halterman, Clovis, ca
Psalm 30:1 (NLT) I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
Brenda Zabriskie
Lindon, Utah
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in PRAYER, BELIEVE that
you have received it, and it will be yours.
Jennifer O. Corpus Christi, TX
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'”
Genesis 12:1 NIV
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. Psalm 66:18 NKJV
Kimberly Kleimann, Chico, CA
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crownth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies. Psalm 103:4 King James
Kimberly, Montgomery, AL
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)
Anita, Lawrenceville.
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people”
Luke 1:68 ESV
Joan Vanderwall, Orofino, Idaho
“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation….He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing His glory. Col 1:15, 17 & 27b (NLT)
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Psalms 55:22 NIV
Laura from Aurora, MO:
For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
2 Chronicles 16:9 NAS
Laquita, Athens, Tx.
“No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:23 ESV
Carol O’Keefe, Oak Park,CA
John 15:5 (NIV)
I am the vine; you are the braches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit;apart from me you can do nothing.
When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the Lord, and the Lord will pay you back.
Proverbs 19:17 GNT