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.
Tomi, Des Moines, Iowa. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Sandra Kent, Gwinn MI
Romans 12:12 ESV
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Phyllis, Ft. Worth, TX
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Yu crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
Psalm 65, v11
NLT
Lori, Louisville, KY
Whom have I in heaven but you?
Earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the
strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Pslam 73:25-26
Cindee Johnson
Portageville, Mo
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23-24 ESV
Wendy Davis
Oriental, NC
I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; surely I will remember Thy wonders of old.
Psalm 77:11 NASB
Cheri C from Frisco, TX
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
â€â€I Peter‬ â€5:6-7‬ â€NKJV‬‬
Katherine Emerson, Livingston, Tx
Seek first [be concerned above all else with] God’s kingdom and what God wants [His righteousness] Then all your needs will be met as well [these things will be given to you]
Matthew 6:33 EXB
Brenda Rowland. Mint Hill, NC. 9/15/15
1 Cor. 1:9. NKJB.
Eye has not see , nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
Christy, Karen, Cheryl A Cord of Three Strands
Jay, OK
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15: 1-2 NIV
Clancie Speck, Elizabethtown, KY “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30, NIV (1984)
Carol Hartley Montgomery Al
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:6 (NIV)
Phyllis Winn
Gilmer, Tx
NIV John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world.
Psalm 61:3
For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.
Paulette P. Mays
Elmer, La
Kathy Norwalk IA
“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us”
â€â€Hebrews‬ â€12:1‬ â€HCSB‬‬
Nancy Gordon
Lafayette IN
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:5-8 NIV
correction. My verse is 1Cor. 2:9.
For it is written:
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
Praise the Lord.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
His love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1 NIV)
Stephanie B.
Augusta, GA
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Dawn
Silver Spring, MD
“…to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:20 NAS 1977)
Maggie, Atlanta, GA
Ephesians 3:18-19(NLT)
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Tricia D missionary wife in Germany
“so at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” Philippians 2:10 (ESV)
Sheree Campbell, Phoenix, AZ
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14 NIV
Debbie W., Prattville, AL:
And I will forgive their wickedness,
and I will never again remember their sins.
Hebrews 8:12
NLT
Karen Glisson, Simpsonville, SC (we have moved over the past month from Kennesaw, GA and I have gotten very behind on my verses)(This is for 2 verses) Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph. 5:1-2 (NIV)
Lynne, Jackson, AL
“Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.”
1 Samuel 15:22(NASB)
Shelly Slagle, Mount Ulla NC
I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2
Aransas Pass, Texas
September 17, 2015
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Sarah ~ Appleton, WI
“No one is holy like the Lord!
There is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.”
1 Samuel 2:2, NLT
Lynn Hertzberg
Humble, TX
Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
Hosea 6:1 NKJV
Sara McPeek, Decatur, TX
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. Romans 12:6 NLT
Sally from Sturgis, MI
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)
Candice from Wallingford, PA
“Be completely humble, and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
“And the Lord shall guide thee continually and satisfy thy soul in drought and make fat they bones and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” (Isaiah 58:11 KJV)
Kristine from Welland ON
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.”
Missed the address
Romans 14:17,18 NIV
Chris Robertson from Fort Wayne, IN
“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.”
Romans 8:15 NIV
Tammy. McKinney,TX
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Brenda K. Orlow – Jordan, MN
“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” Galatians 5:7 ESV
Beaumont, Texas
I just want to say that I was very blessed to hear the Audacious LPL Simulcast from a church in my hometown of Bridge City, Texas. Blew me away! Thank you Beth for stirring my soul to live the way Jesus called us!!
I MUST post this verse:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
Romans 8:18 NAB
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Ps. 65:11 NLT
Angela from Aurora, NE – “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:6 NIV84
Erin Beil, Sneads Ferry, NC
Psalm 37:5 (ESV) Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
Pelican Rapids, MN — “So do not fear, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Wendi, Simi Valley, CA
“But if Christ in in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his spirit who lives in you.”
Romans 8:10, 11 NIV
Let the morning bring me word of Y.our unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Ann, SC
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
2 Cor 2:15 NIV
Sharon Mills
Henderson, Nv
Esther 4:14 NIV
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for a time such as this?”
Kandis Nucla, CO
He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 1 Tim 1:9 NIV
Rebecca M., Clifton, NJ. “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.” Psalm 16:4, ESV