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.
Amy, Miamisburg, OH
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:4 ESV
Kim Cook – Valley, AL
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
â€â€Isaiah‬ â€26:3‬ â€NLT‬‬
Sorry this is so late! And I really did have my verse on the 15th!!! Linda Dews, Orrville, OH
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or powers, or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17 NIV
For the word of the Lord is right and all His work is done in truth. Psalm 33:4 NKJV
Danyelle
Beavercreek, OH
As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
â€â€Psalm‬ â€18:30‬ (â€NIV‬‬)
Saint Petersburg Fl
Philippines 4:8 ESV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
RaeLeen in Bloomington Indiana:
But that is not the way you learned Christ.
(Eph 4:20) ESV
Cindy b Alton NH 1 peter 1:4-5 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.kjv
Laura Berg from Carlsbad, CA
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful,unholy,without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal,not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
Numbers 6:25 NLT
Lora, I want to say thanks for this word from God you have brought to me on this day. On the verge of laying it all down I can see hope, restoration and a glimmer of peace in the middle of this cauotic thing called life right now. Instead of letting God’s word fill me, I’ve allowed all of this to consume me and overwhelm me to the point of total despair. But through God’s word here in your post I am reminded that He has all is not lost in Him. He has my entire year crowned with everything I need and desire—IN ABUNDANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bless you and your sweet family in Jesus name, Amen
Amanda, Sherman, TX
Psalm 34:6 KJV
“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”
Sheri, Georgetown, TX
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with your whole heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB)
Jo, Columbia, Missouri
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
â€â€Ephesians‬ â€5:21‬ â€NIV‬‬
Keron, Boise, Idaho
Commit your way to the LORD
trust in him, and he will act.
Psalm 37:5 ESV
Debbie, Fort Thomas, KY
In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 ESV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Vicki Bolton Lubbock, TX
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves , and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
Fresno, CA
Likewise all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them, and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their toil—this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NRSV)
Christina Moore, Plano, TX~
“Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
And are accounted as the dust in the scales;
Behold, He takes up the coastlands like fine dust.”
Isaiah 40:15, ESV
Kathy Walden, Knightstown, IN
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Ps 139:9-10 NIV
1Peter 5:7″Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (NIV)
Debbie, Marion, IN. “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” Isaiah 45:3 NIV
Gail Irwin, Thousand Oaks, CA
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
Jeri Jacobs, Hemet CA
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24. NIV
Annette Baal Stouffville ON Canada
Jude 18
How they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. NKJV
Nancy, Junction City, AR
“The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all those who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:14 NKJ
Tara Ford, Beech Creek, KY
Galatians 1:10 NIV
[10] Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
#18 Psalm 105:3,4 NIV
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Danielle, Weymouth, MA
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
Psalm 141:3 ESV
Matthew 11:30 NIV
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Pam Mayer from Apple Valley, MN: “So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” Philippians 2:18 NIV
p.s. Just saw War Room Friday night as a way to recharge my battery after spending myself in caregiving this week. It was wonderfully refreshing!
Asheboro, NC
ESV 1 Corthinians 14:33a For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.
Jessica, Shelby,NC. “Then he said to his disciples, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Matthew 9:37ESV
Ella Roemer, Gillespie, Il
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 NIV
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you.
~ Hebrews 10:35 NLT
Vikki Stemler, Jeffersonville, Indiana
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
Amy Villa, Auburn, WA “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness,but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5 ESV
Julie Brock, Myrtle, MS “Humble yourselves, therefore, under GOD’s Mighty Hand, that HE may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on HIM because HE cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Charlotte Wilson Stedman, Austintown, Ohio
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not tremble (be afraid) do not be discouraged (dismayed) for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NASB
Carol, Keller, TX
Commit your way to the Lord. Trust also in Him. And He shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 37:5 NKJV
Cathy , Birmingham, Al
Psalm 125:2 NIV
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people now and forevermore.
Kimberly Barrett, Camden, Arkansas
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV
Kathryn Anderson. Jacksonville Florida :
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Colossians 1:9-12
Leslie Young
Wisner, La.
“The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€145:9‬ â€NLT‬‬
Carol Lawrence, Poplar Bluff, MO
Jude Verse 18 ESV
They said to you, “In the last time there will be schooners, following their own ungodly passion’s.”
Penny Ritter, Vian, OK
Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Jennifer Edwards Alabama
2 Samuel 22:31 NIV
As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.
Lana, Bryant, AR. “and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
â€â€Romans‬ â€5:5 NASB
Lora, we share a most uncommon spelling of our name and as well as a year that was truly a very hard pathway. Thank you for sharing on the overflow of abundance, even in the difficult times.
My verse this time is a prayer for how to use those difficult times reflectively, to reflect on HIS glory and HIS purposes. Much love to you and your family in Jesus name and for HIS calling.
Lora Leftwich, Indian Land, SC
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 (KJV)