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.
Shelley from San Angelo
so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:17 NIV
Christene from London, Canada
Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. Ezekiel 36:25-27 NASB
Jamie Wichita, KS
“When I am afraid I put my trust in You.”
Psalm 56:3 ESV
Hailey Boone, Wilmington, NC. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Phil 4:8, NASB
Melisse, Slippery Rock, PA
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
for the Lord God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take great delight I you with gladness. With his love he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Rene’, Mineola, TX
Romans 8:3-4 (NASB)
“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Amy Storms
Joplin, MO
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
John 11:40 NIV
Anglea M. Tulsa Area
Deuteronomy 10:20-21, NKJV
“You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.”
Becky, Stromsburg, NE
Philippians 4:8 NIV
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.
Memphis, Tn
Galatians 5:5 ESV
“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”
Marilyn, Piedmont, OK
Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV)
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
isaiah 43:10 (NIV)
“You are my witnesses”, declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no God was formed, nor will there be one after me.
Martha from Corpus Christi, Texas
And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
Luke 1:46-47 NIV
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God and I trust in Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. Ps. 91:1-3
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIrV
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank Him because you believe in Christ Jesus.
Lisa Snyder in Montgomery, TX
Kathy, Los Gatos, CA. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of christ, who is the image of God.”
Carolyn Valente, Chicago, IL, Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1 NIV
Hanna Wahlbrink
Lexington, Ky
Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Hebrews 10:36 (nlt)
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11(NLT) Twyla McAmis, Cleveland, Tennessee
Penny Burke, Cincinnati: “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:6 ESV
Dr. Wilma Arant, Swartz, LA
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV
Bobbie, Radium Springs, NM
Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Renee Hall, Jacksonville, FL
“and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” – Colossians 1:12 NIV
Shauna, Aurora, NE
“I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” Psalm 116:7, ESV
Jen … Fort Worth, Texas
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
Romans 11:36 ESV
Joyce Kortze, Rockford, IL
“Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with each other.”
Mark 9:50b NIV
Janette
Estes Par, CO.
Jeremiah 51:15 NIV
He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.
Amy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Be completely humble and gentle;
be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Ramona Gellick
Medina, OH
James 4:8 (ESV)
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you
Trinna, Bossier City, LA, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Fran, Opelika, Alabama
James 2:13 (NIV)
…because judgment without mercy will not be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT.
Morgan Roberts
Brandon, MS
“I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:24 NLT
Jessie Y. Jackson, MO. NIV 2 Corinthians 12:10 “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Cor 10:5.
College station tx
Megan, Goodlettsville, TN Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Heather Hoch Pflugerville, TX
Psalm 63:2 (NASB)
Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory
Cherie, Joseph, OR: “The Lord said to Jeremiah, ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.'” (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV)
My dear brothers; take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20 NIV
Vickie, Pella, Iowa
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:11
Dione H., Moore, OK. – Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. – Col 3:2 NKJV
Lois, Southbury, CT
“Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
Psalm 2:3 & 4 (niv)
Paige Woodard Mitchell, Minden, La
“But everything must be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40 (HCSB)
Deneen Horne, Jacksonville, Florida
“I brought you into a fertile Land to eat its fruit and rich produce.”
Jeremiah 2:7a NIV
Kristetta Miller, Pineville, LA Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:23-24 (NIV)
Patrice in ABQ
“Because you are My helper, I sing in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 63:7 (NIV)
Gina- Naperville, IL
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still”. Exodus 14:14
Joy Thompson, Fort Worth, Tx
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ESV
Kiva, Irvine, CA
“So do not throw away your confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!”
Hebrews 10:35 NIV
Sherri, Indian Trail, NC
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:12-13 NIV
“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it,” (Romans 4:16) (NLT)