Journey with the LORD

Sharing God's LOVE for the mankind

Author: Joseph (page 1 of 15)

Standing Strong with God’s Mighty Arms

Ruby Nell Bridges at age 6, was the first African American child to attend William Franz Elementary School in New Orleans after Federal courts ordered the desegregation of public schools

One morning, out of blue I started thinking about Ruby Bridges. I believe God placed her on my heart that morning encouraging me to stand strong. He knew I tend to struggle with anxiety issues especially with what’s happening around us nowadays. God continues to be faithful to me, despite my weakness and anxious thoughts by reassuring me so many times. He knows I needed many reassurance to help calm me down. Like I mentioned earlier, I tend to put up a confident front to others, but deep inside I know I struggle with this from time to time. It’s important to remember that God is in control and only HE can give us peace. My previous blog entry on anxiety & OCD (link to blog post), I talked about how we must keep our focus on God and not see things with natural eyes. I realize that it’s easier said than done and hard to focus when you are in full-on anxiety mode. I learned that it helps to stop train of thought and sit still if you can, focus on God, pray to Him, mediate on His promises and verses, even when bad thoughts keep on coming on like storm waves battering against rock and God is our rock. We just stay on that rock! And not to be floating in water, swayed back and forth by the storms.

Anyways, back to Ruby Bridges. I am inspired by how God created her to be such a shining example of confidence and faith to others. So I went on to read more about her and learned a lot about her (https://www.biography.com/activist/ruby-bridges).

She was such a small child! Surrounded by angry and hateful mob much bigger than her, yet every day she walked to school. Surrounded by protection. Peace amidst chaos around her. And now I see that she is alive and well as an adult. What an amazing testimony of God’s love in her life! God’s strong protection over her! It shows that despite how bad and dismal it looks in the natural, God can see His children through hard times. I feel that it’s amazing how God carried her through all these years by placing the right people, challenges, opportunities in her life to help her grow and thrive in all she can be! This verse below also came up on my heart.

James 1:2-4 (AMP)2 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 (ESV)2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

As I read more about her life, I saw how God watched over her in many ways.

  • National Guards escorting her safely so she can learn in school
  • A special teacher named Barbara Henry tenderly giving her heart and dedication to Ruby, taking the time to make sure she get good education (YouTube video about Barbara Henry)
  • Supportive mother who told her to be brave and pray which Ruby said helped with crowd yelling
  • Psychologist who helped Ruby cope with being rejected and hated
  • And probably many more folks in her life that we don’t know about

And Ruby Bridges did her part

  • Walked every day to school
  • And learning in school
  • Praying and leaning on God
  • Forgiving others!
  • Not letting others stop her from living a life

As I dug a bit deeper in Ruby’s life – I saw that she was a woman of faith, that her mother taught her about God. Ruby testified that God personally had a hand in her life. And her quotes reflected her faith in God –

Throughout my life, my prayers have actively sustained me – held me up, carried me through.

My mother said to me, ‘Ruby, if I’m not with you and you’re afraid, then always say your prayers.’

My mother had taught me that the only thing you could depend on was your faith, and I had that.

I felt God’s immense love for her, just as God has immense love for me, making sure I get support and care to be able to thrive in this world from when I was young. God loves each of His children immensely, therefore PRAISE GOD for being so good to us. Remember, He didn’t promise that life will be easy for us, but He did promise that He will see His children through good and bad times!

Check out YouTube video about Ruby Bridge

Below are more quotes from Ruby Bridges. She allowed the light of God to shine brightly from her heart unto dark world that we live in.

Somehow, it always worked. Kneeling at the side of my bed and talking to the Lord made everything okay.

Every day, I would show up, and there were no kids, just me and my teacher in my classroom. Every day, I would be escorted by marshals past a mob of people protesting and boycotting the school. This went on for a whole year.

The people I passed every morning as I walked up the school’s steps were full of hate. They were white, but so was my teacher, who couldn’t have been more different from them. She was one of the most loving people I had ever known.

The more faith is tested, the stronger it gets.

The greatest lesson I learned that year in Mrs. Henry’s class was the lesson Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to teach us all: Never judge people by the color of their skin. God makes each of us unique in ways that go much deeper.

Though I did not know it then, nor would I come to realize it for many years, what transpired in the fall of 1960 in New Orleans would forever change my life and help shape a nation. When I think back on that time and all that has occurred since, I realize a lot has changed. I also know there is much more to be done. That fateful walk to school began a journey, and we all must work together to continue moving forward.””

24 October 2019

Proverbs 31:16-17 (ESV)
16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

Proverbs 31:16-17 (AMP)16 She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
17 She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]And makes her arms strong.

Song of Solomon 4:16 (AMP)
6 “Awake, O north wind,
And come, south wind [blow softly upon my garden];
Make my garden breathe out fragrance, [for the one in whom my soul delights],
Let its spices flow forth.
Let my beloved come into his garden
And eat its choicest fruits.”

Genesis 1:28-30 (ESV)28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

23 October 2019

Isaiah 6:1-7 (ESV)1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

Proverbs 27:18 (AMP)
18 He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who faithfully protects and cares for his master will be honored.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (AMP)

10 An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her? Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],
And he will have no lack of gain.

12 She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil
All the days of her life.

13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with willing hands in delight.

14 She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];
She brings her [household’s] food from far away.

15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And assigns tasks to her maids.

16 She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];
With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.

17 She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]
And makes her arms strong.

18 She sees that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing].

20 She opens and extends her hand to the poor,
And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.

21 She does not fear the snow for her household,
For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool].

22 She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.
Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].

23 Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;
And supplies sashes to the merchants.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;
And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].

26 She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].

27 She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired);
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying,

29 “Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness],
But you excel them all.”

30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the product of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].

22 October 2019

Song of Solomon 1:13 (ESV)13 My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh that lies between my breasts.

Proverbs 3:3 (ESV)
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.

Ezekiel 16:7-13 (ESV)7 I made you flourish like a plant of the field. And you grew up and became tall and arrived at full adornment. Your breasts were formed, and your hair had grown; yet you were naked and bare. 8 “When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord God, and you became mine. 9 Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil. 10 I clothed you also with embroidered cloth and shod you with fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. 11 And I adorned you with ornaments and put bracelets on your wrists and a chain on your neck. 12 And I put a ring on your nose and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. 13 Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen and silk and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour and honey and oil. You grew exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty.

Matthew 13:52 (ESV)52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Song of Solomon 7:13 (ESV)
13 The mandrakes give forth fragrance,
    and beside our doors are all choice fruits,
new as well as old,
    which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.

Proverbs 24:4 (ESV)
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled
    with all precious and pleasant riches.

21 October 2019

Proverbs 3:15 (ESV)15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Song of Solomon 1:2 (ESV)2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!For your love is better than wine;

Psalm 45:13-15 (ESV)13 All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. 14 In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her. 15 With joy and gladness they are led along  as they enter the palace of the king.

John 14:2-4 (ESV)2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

Isaiah 61:10 (ESV)10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Song of Solomon 1:4 (ESV)4 Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers.
Others
We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you.

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