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.
Emily Tohlen, Kansas City, MO
“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:10 NKJV
Cindy Beam
Rogers, AR
“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)
Carolyn O., Cypress, TX
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Kim Peterson from Vista, CA
Psalm 139:1-6 NIV
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Kathy
Madison, CT
Job 23:10 (NASB)
“But He knows the way I take;
When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Geri, Deer Park, TX
Colossians 2:4. ESV
I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
Dana
Clarksville, TN
Psalm 119:33 ESV
“Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.”
“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
Farmington, MO “He keepeth all his bones: Not one of them is broken.” Psalm 34:20 in 7 years of abuse not one bone was broken
Mary James, Orangeville, ONT.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7 NIV
Isaiah 43:10
“You are my witness;declares the Lord, and my servant whom I
have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand
that I am he.”
Pam Williams, Olive Branch, MS
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
Karen Teplik, Mesa, AZ “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wing.” Malachi 4:2 (NIV)
Allison H.
Wilmington, NC
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
Romans 12:18 (NKJV)
Jennifer, Fort Worth
Deuteronomy 33:27 (NKJV) “The eternal God is your refuge,And underneath are the everlasting arms;He will thrust out the enemy from before you,And will say, ‘Destroy!’”
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)
Lawton, Okla
2 Chronicles 16:9(NIV)
9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Michelle G. Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Dyersburg, TN Exodus 14:14 KJV The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Rita, Splendora, Tx
Then he said to them all: “if anyone desires to come after Me,
Let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Luke 9:23
NJKV
Enterprise, AL
For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, (Colossians 2:5-6 NKJV)
Anna from Indiana
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. Proverbs 31:23 (NIV)
““But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”
Psalm 39:7 NIV
http://bible.com/111/psa.39.7.niv
Debbie, Reno, Nevada
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 NASB
Ecc 11:4 TLB
If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.
Carol ~ Webb City, MO
One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Psalm 62:11-12 (NIV)
Kirby Ray from Parsons, KS. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” I Peter 5:6 NIV
Nikki Gack, Park Rapids, MN
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing Spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12 NIV
Julianne August, Orangeville, Ontario
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Ps. 65:11 NLT
Nancy Huebner, Spring Hill, TN
“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him,
and His righteousness with their children’s children.”
Psalm 103:17
Donna, Houston, TX
“But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.”
Psalm 71:14 ESV
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers— not because you must, but, because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but, being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
1 Peter 5:1-4
Rhonda
Gilmer
James 5:8 (NKJV)
You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Dena K from Columbus, OH:
“I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.”
Psalms 40:1 NKJV
Albany, GA
ROMANS 13:8. NASB
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Melanie Anderson, Groesbeck, TX
“Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” I Peter 3:4 NIV(1984)
(Continued from verse 3…) I’m loving doing passages for context instead of single verses!!!
Mande Brightwell. Longview, Tx. Finally, brothers and sisters, 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)
Lisa Griffin, Lincoln City, OR:
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Cindy, Beaumont, TX. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV
Allison from New York
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
-Proverbs 16:9
ksbrina Ethington, Chandler,AZ. ““Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV
Alyssa Ethington, Chandler, AZ. “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
Psalm 85:10 NIV
Susan, Bradenton, FL
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for He who promised is faithful. Heb. 10:23 NIV
Marcy, Eagle Bridge, NY
I Corinthians 10:12-14 (ESV) “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it. Therefore flee from idolatry.”
Anna Elkhart IN
1Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
Diana, Round Hill, VA – I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 NRSV
Gwyn Tidwell of Haslet, Tx
Know the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Psalm 100:3 (NIV84)
Whitney from Russellville, TN
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Philippians 4:12. ESV
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 KJV
Nancy-Yonges Island, SC
“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
2 Thess 3:3 NKJ