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.
Jodee Walker, Mountain View, WY “For he himself is our peace, who made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” Ephesians 2:14
Lou, Jenison,MI
I John 4:18 There no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. (NASB)
Romans 12:12(NIV)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Lynda from Dallas, TX
“He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark”.
Ps:91:4. NASB
Rolanda Hairston Ft. Worth, TX
“The LORD always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The LORD helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads” Psalm 145:13-14 NLT
Denisha Bonds, Boynton Beach, FL: I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. āāPsalmā¬ ā63:4ā¬ āNIVā¬ā¬
Shiela Meert, Elkhart, IN
“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.” Proverbs 2:1-2
HOPE THIS IS NOT TOO LATE š
Jennifer Tunstall, Pasadena, TX
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”
1 John 5:11 NKJV
Karen: Souderton, Pa.
I,too had my verse on the 15th but forgot to post this week.I also have been working on reviewing all my “older verses”. Thanks for the opportunity to continue this journey.
Psalm 19:14 NIV
May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Angie Martens, Charlotte, NC
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
I Peter 5:10 (ESV)
Bonnie O’Shields, Dacusville, SC
By His own choice, He gave us a new birth, by the message of truth so that we would be the first fruits of His creatures.
James 1:18 HCSB
Dorelle Hogan, Hot Springs, AR, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
Patti from brentwood TN
Romans 6:18 ESV
And having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Beth Reid, London, ON
James 1:20 NIV – Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Rachel Grantham, Raymond, MS.
1 Johnā¬ ā5:15ā¬–āAnd if we know that he hears usāwhatever we askāwe know that we have what we asked of him.ā (āNIVā¬ā¬)
Luda Kosenko
Baltimore, MD
For those who live according to the flesh
think about the things of the flesh,
but those who live according to the Spirit,
about the things of the Spirit.
For the mind-set of the flesh is death,
but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:5-6 (HCSB)
Mary Jo, Las Vegas, NV
“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor 10:5 (NASB)
Cathy Morris Sedona, AZ
āCome to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matt 11:28 NIV
Betty, Austin,Texas Psalm 139:18 NIV:
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
Susan Norfolk, VA. But someone will say,”You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds and I will show show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:18 NIV
Dawn, San Angelo, TX
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. NIV. 1 Peter 5:7
Claudia from Edmond, OK
“The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!”
Psalm 16:6 (NLT)
Katie Davila, Tomball, TX:
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. Psalm 119:9 (ESV)
Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; I lay my request before you and wait in expectation.
San Diego,CA
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesnāt want what it doesnāt have.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Karen from Powell, Ohio
Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:8 NIV
Susan Davis, Lawrenceville
Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:7-8 NIV
Kristi S. Rogersville, TN
COLOSSIANS 4:5 NASB
CONDUCT YOURSELF WITH WISDOM TOWARDS OUTSIDERS
MAKING THE MOST OF THE OPPORTUNITY
“And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test yhem as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will say, “They are my people.” And then they will say, “The Lord is my God.” Zechariah 13:9 NASB
Layne Hall, Columbus, MS: “…I do believe; Help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24b NIV
Bonnie from Bellaire, TX
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 29:13 NIV
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 NKJ
1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Stephanie Volkmer, Tulsa Ok.
*For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (āRomansā¬ ā8ā¬:ā14ā¬ NKJV)
Beth, Lansing, MI
Psalm 27:1 esv: “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?”
Florence, Rancho Cordova, CA
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4 (NIV)
Jennie, Denham Springs, LA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12, NIV
Helen Roseberry, Riverside, CA
(From passage Eph. 4:17-32)
“to be made new in the attitude of your minds;” Ephesians 4:23 NIV
Lisa Jones, St. Louis, Mo.
Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:13
Becky, Vicksburg, MS
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19 NIV.
Sara, Jonesboro, AR
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (āColossiansā¬ ā3ā¬:ā23-24ā¬ NIV)
Lori, Renton WA
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8
Psalm 16:1 NIV
You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Kelowna, BC
Heather Burch – Simi Valley, CA – Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered and let those who hate Him flee before Him.
Psalm 68:1 NASB
Psalm 119 verse 38 NET
Confirm to Your servant Your promise
Which You made to the one who honours You.
Isaiah 26:3 “Thou will meep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.”
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
“May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.
Numbers 6:23-26 (NLT)
Sarah, Brookhaven, MS
I didn’t choose one on the 15th, & then I forgot! I’ve loved the one Lora chose & have been thinking about it since she posted! I’ve decided to let that be mine also since I’m so late this time!
Ps 65:11
You crown the year with your bounty, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.(NLT)
Laura, Bryan, TX. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Jana, Quitaque, Texas
James 1:22-24 NIV
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.