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.
“Because you are My helper, I sing in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 63:7 (NIV)
Reply
Tammy from Alexander, NC
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
â€â€Psalm‬ â€105:4‬ â€ESV‬‬
Leisa Hale, Sheridan, Indiana
John 1:12 ESV
But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God,
Anne’ Simpsonville, SC, “These words that I an giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 H CSB
Nancilea, The Woodlands, TX
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
(Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV)
Diane in Lenexa
Psalm 19:10
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
Pamm W. from Albuquerque, NM
“And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.””
â€â€Job‬ â€28:28‬ â€NIV‬‬
Lori McGahey, Nashville, TN, ” Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1st Peter 5:7 NIV
Janice – Sharpsburg, GA. Struggling but still hanging in there.
Ps. 37:23 (NLV) The LORD directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Erika, Monson MA
And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, and knowledge to men of understanding.
Daniel 2:21 NAS
Deby
New Carlisle, Oh
Proverbs 18:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
“Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.”
â€â€Psalms‬ â€27:3‬ â€NKJV‬‬
http://bible.com/114/psa.27.3.nkjv
Jennifer Chatman
Jonesborough, TN
Brielle Joy
Waconia, MN
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Nikki L, Littleton CO
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
James 5:16 NLT
“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
â€â€1 Corinthians‬ â€9:25-27‬ â€ESV‬‬
Ruth, Modesto,CA
Romans 12:12 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Deanna, Harwood, MD
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Joy Lunsford , Troy, AL
Luke 1:45New International Version (NIV)
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
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 N
Cindy S. Walker, Clear Lake area of Houston, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11 (NIV 1984)
Melissa Fancher, Marble, AR
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
Lauren Fancher, Marble, AR
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV
Michelle Rademacher – Aurora, IL
“And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.”
â€â€Exodus‬ â€12:36‬ â€(ESV‬‬)
Roxana/ Providence, RI
Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Monica Pribe, Blacklick, OH “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth compairing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 ESV
Missy S, Charlotte, NC
(a continuation from last time)
“in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” ~ Ephesians 2:21-22 (ESV)
Sharon Gaudet, Rochester,NH: “I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,” declares the LORD.–Ezekiel 37:14(NASB)
Jennifer, Chattanooga, TN
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
Terri from College Station, TX
John 8:32
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Judy, Clay Center, KS “And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.” Acts 4:29 NLT
Kathy Rowland
Fort Wayne, IN
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
Marsha, Batesville Ms.
Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.”
LeEllen Phillips
Nashville, TN
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
â€â€Matthew‬ â€5:7-8‬ â€ESV‬‬
Tamara, Austin, TX
…where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:20. NIV
Wendy Bashor – Lone Butte, BC: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Denise Wilkin
The Woodlands, Texas
2 Corinthians 9:10
“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”
Exodus 15:2 ESV
The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has
become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise Him,
my father’s God and I will exalt Him.
Cindy/Midland
Muriel in Ontario Romans 11:33 (NIV)
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Rebecca, Winston Salem, NC
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3, NIV
Cornelius, NC. Isaiah 61:3a: ( KJV). ” To appoint unto them that mourn….. To give unto them… Beauty for ashes…. The oil of JOY for mourning….. The garment of PRAISE for the spirit of heaviness……
Kimberley, Greensboro, North Carolina. “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”
â€â€Philippians‬ â€1:6‬ â€(NKJV‬‬)
Lora Lovin Osburn
Morristown, TN
Matthew 11:28 NASB “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Pamela Houston
Buena Park, CA
“Let us not be weary in well doing;
for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:9 KJV
Cher Goeder, Toledo, Ohio
Romans 8:15 NIV “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.”
Barbara Q, West Point, Georgia
1Peter 5:10 NIV
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Nedra, Blue Springs, MO “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NASB
Mary Gray, Fieldale, VA, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only yo be still.” Exodus 14:14. NIV
Cindy
Rising Sun In
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10 NLT)
Joy Mast
Matthews, NC
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord, Jeus Christ, the glorious father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better.”
Ephesians 1:17