Pick-Me-Up: With Us

by Lynn, posted in Growing Deep

Light Haze_12x12 Oil_Lynn Abbott

© 2018 Lynn Abbott

“‘Do not fear,’ the angels said. ‘For behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,’” (Luke 2:10-11).

…For all the people.

Light Haze_12x12 Oil_Lynn AbbottYes, Abba’s children include the weak, the suffering, the broken, the disheartened, the fearful.

And our heavenly Father knows this well.

The Psalmist penned, ” Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.  For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust,” (Psalm 103:13-14).

In His grace, God took the form of man, that He might redeem us (Philippians 2:5-8).

“He is mindful that we arLight Haze_12x12 Oil_Lynn Abbotte but dust,” (Psalm 103:14).

Then, although He ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us, He did not leave us without the comfort of His Holy Spirit, (John 14: 2; John 16:7,13; Acts 1:8).

Yes, He is still Immanuel.

He is with us here. He goes with us there. He has promised He will never leave or forsake us, (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Our Savior, Our Sovereign Shepherd has said, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” (Isaiah 41:10).

Yes, He is still Immanuel. He is with us here. He goes with us there.

Light Haze_12x12 Oil_Lynn AbbottWhen days grow dark, we may long for escape.

For in this world, we stumble. We hurdle.

Our faith falters.

We suffer. We grieve.

Naturally, you and I want to run “home.” And without a doubt, one day, a beautiful homecoming will be ours.

But for now, the Light of the World goes forth… with us.

“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope, The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness,” ~Lamentations 3:21-23

67 thoughts on “Pick-Me-Up: With Us”

  2. Lynn, this felt like it was written for me personally but I’m sure that’s true for others blessed by these words. I’ve been wanting to commit some new scripture to memory to keep my thoughts where they need to be instead of where they tend to meander during stressful days. You have blessed me.
    Much love,
    Deb

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    1. Thank you for your kind encouragement, Jeff! I love the description you give: “faith and grace, the two way highway!” What a wonderful picture/image of deep spiritual truth! Thank you, my wise friend and brother! 🙂

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  9. After I became saved, I was concerned that I do not have enough power to be like Jesus. I was weak in my mind, memory, imagination, feelings and will. I was weak in prayer and fasting. I struggled with the Word of God. It is true that I was much better than my neighbors and friends (or so I thought)… I had more zeal to serve God than them… But when I compared myself with Jesus, I was still falling short of His glory.. I cried to God for help… Then He told me that I have to be filled to overflow with the Holy Spirit… I wanted that but I was slow to ‘fulfill the conditions’ for such a filling. It took me again many years before I could rest my soul in His embrace, at peace with God’s will and ways for me. Then it happened… I cannot describe the moment…I was at the backyard… seated on a small chair… suddenly I felt like rain falling inside my lungs, my heart… I felt light and good and happy… nothing changed outside but my inside was flooded with light and glory… Since then, my ‘work’ is to maintain the filling given to me from above…since then I give to others only from the Spirit overflow, from the excess grace given to me, a nobody made royalty, hidden from the world but known to God… what else can I say than: ‘From now and forever, I worship You Lord Jesus!’

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  13. Oh Lynn……
    Just have to comment about your picture…….oh it would go so PERFECTLY on my family room wall! We recently painted one wall as an accent wall. Have been looking for something to go there…….just dreaming mind you, but just love all your artwork I see here too. Had to say! Blessings friend!

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  14. Thank you for this encouragement as a lift-off for the next article I had planned, God ~ Who is Here.
    I am always amazed at how your words and art fit together. Such a blessing.

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    1. Oh, I must absolutely visit your blog to read “God, Who is Here.” I love that title! And thank you for your kind words about my blog posts. My painting usually comes first… I pray a lot and God gives me a message through an image… then, I describe that message in greater detail through words–the ink part of “through ink and image.” So that’s how the art and words come about and thus, fit together. 🙂 Thank you so much for your thoughtful encouragement! It means the world to me, Frances! ❤

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      1. Thank you, Lynn. The Spirit of the Lord works through us all with same message, but in different ways. Hopefully, we will share God, Who is Here this week. He continues to bless us through you.

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  15. We are indeed greatly Loved Lynn, I very much appreciated your Message because that is what it reminded me of… Yes we have to work out our Salvation but not meaning work for it. We Aim to be Perfected in Love putting our Carnal Flesh to death by The Holy Spirit’s empowering as we choose to walk in His Fruit. (Romans 8 (K.J.V.)

    But God knows those who are His and did before we were Born, He knew by His Foreknowledge that we would Repent, accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour which the only way to Him and also when we would. He knows all things and He tells us not one of us will be lost, He protects our Souls. So when Hardship or when Satan puts us to the test we will not fall away by rejecting Jesus who is the only way we can be forgiven and God will than Lift us Up and we will Soar on Wings like Eagles, (Isaiah 40:31)… How good is that!

    God’s Blessings dear Lynn now and Always – Anne.

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    1. I’m so grateful that our Savior did not leave us to our sanctification without the help of His Holy Spirit!! And you have expressed that Truth so clearly here, dear Anne. Thank you! What a blessing you are to all who know you! ❤ ❤

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  17. Wow! God gave you and me and T.R. very similar messages today. I love the way the Lord speaks to so many of us about the same subjects at about the same time. That is how the body should work, and how encouraging and reaffirming that is, too. And it reinforces the message, too. Thanks so much for sharing this message today.

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    1. Aww… I’m so very glad, dear Denise! These two recent paintings I actually did for myself. They are to hang in our masterbedroom over our white iron bedstead. The room is decorated in gray blues and white. I thought you’d enjoy hearing that since you are such an extraordinary decorator and favor my favorite design style–French/European country. 🙂 ❤ ❤

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  21. These are all great words of encouragement ~ to counter dark days with light and hope.He has certainly helped me during very hard times when I lost dear Maria. Beautifully written and just love the illustrations adding a backdrop of peace. 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much, Ed! I knew you would fully understand this post as you have walked some difficult days and yet, your faith remains strong! God bless you beyond all that you can imagine!!

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