In their hearts, humans plan their course,  but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16: 9

The meaning of invest: Expend money with the expectation of achieving a profit or material result by putting it into financial schemes, shares, or property, or by using it to develop a commercial venture.

Provide or endow someone or something with (a particular quality or attribute)

There is approximately 39 verse about investing.

When we see the word invest many of us think Wall Street many may think of our 401K, others may see a bigger picture where the dividends are endless. 

In our present world where we see and feel such unrest and uncertainty in our global economy. We can easily become people of doubt. So where is it we can be safe and invest? Where can we have the amazing opportunity to acquire those endless dividends?  Where can we have that peace in our hearts knowing we have invested wisely? 

There are many things in our world that can point us in that direction. The question becomes, are we willing to commit to what is required?  We need to invest our time, our resource, our passion, and love to reap the full harvest.  

As a shareholder in this thing we call life you can invest as little or as much as you want. I have found the following formula, our payout is based on the total earnings, and is paid out in the way of dividends. Resulting in our gain.

So, when we look at our spiritual walk with Christ. How much do we invest? Do you love others? Do we follow His commandments? Do we love God with all of our heart and with all of our soul and with all of our mind? Do we truly invest our time? Or do we just search for Him on Sundays or when things are not going as planned in our life? 

He is the best investment you can make for yourself, your family, and your friends. And I do believe our forefathers knew something when they placed. “IN GOD WE TRUST ON OUR CURRENCY” Trust Him. Invest the time. The gift is priceless. 

Its Him, It's always Him. 

What an amazing GAIN.. your life will never be the same. 

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; Matthew 6:20 -

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."Colossians 3:2

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen Hebrews 11:1

Design & Written by Lori Garner

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Bible Verses From KJV, Easy  /  Sinners prayer

..The meaning of beauty is a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight:

The word beauty appears 49 times. 

Today our society places such a great amount of value on beauty. You cannot turn on the TV or turn the pages of a magazine without an advertisement about beauty or suggestions on how you can achieve this title.

Do we strive for perfection at all costs? I do believe many try. Now do not get me wrong I do believe we should take care of what God gave us and try to always present our best to the outside world.

But does the word beauty point to a beauty in the Bible that cannot be contained? Is it a physical beauty or the beauty of a heart that lives in every man, woman, and child? Did our creator ever so gently place a beautiful soul in each of us at birth?? I have to believe the answer is yes. 

When we think of the scripture Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” I do feel he is speaking spiritually and with a broad sense of two eyes, two ears, two hands. But He made each one of us unique, each one special and each one beautiful in His eyes. 

His value system points to inner beauty. It’s the beauty of the heart that He longs to see in all of His children.  We can see this in the beauty of His Son… The Bible does not speak too much of Jesus’s physical looks. Our creator shared Jesus to teach us what attributes shine from the soul. He came to earth to teach us and to show us that these traits are attainable.  

So, when we look for a value system to understand the word beauty … Look to Jesus, Look to His example, close your eyes and think what do you love about Him? Is it His Love? His power? His grace? His kindness? His compassion? And as those thoughts dance in your head. His beautiful face will appear in your thoughts… 

Its Him, Its always Him 

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 

You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. Song of Solomon 4:7 ESV. 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well Psalm 139:14 ESV

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses  / Inspiring Music: Sinners Prayer

Phil Wickham / You're Beautiful

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them

Romans 12:13 

The meaning of loneliness sadness because one has no friends or company. "feelings of depression and loneliness" (of a place) the quality of being unfrequented and remote; isolation.

There are approximately 25 verses about loneliness in the Bible.

Loneliness is a difficult emotion to write about. It makes me sad. It makes my heart hurt. It makes tears flow. I do think if you breathe oxygen you have felt this feeling at some time in your life. You have felt the anxiety of not belonging. Or the pain of rejection and or isolation.

What I find curious is, you can be in a room filled with hundreds of people and still feel the pains of being lonely. Many people need someone to validate life. Some are loners and are fine in isolation. Some just need to feel that human bond. They need to hear that human voice. They need to feel that sense of belonging.  

During these challenging times. I see, so many hurting hearts. They are crying out for just a little kindness, a little compassion, and are longing for a loving heart to reach out, and care.

Our challenge becomes how can we touch just one lonely heart? Maybe a call, a text, or a facetime.  But it should not stop there. What do we say? How can we help them fill that void in their life they seem to be missing? I will share my thoughts.

I have met a LOVE, that can change life in the blink of an eye. It can fill your days with joy. He will accept your every flaw. He understands your anxieties. He will hold you until morning’s first light. He will share your desires and dreams. He is the light that shines in the darkest hour. I can introduce Him to you. You will find peace and love like you never thought possible.  He is the lover of your soul. He goes by many names.

I call Him Elohim, Sometimes I call Him Yeshua or the Holy Spirit. But no matter what I call them collectively they are LOVEs.  And together they wow me. 

It’s Them, Its always Them. (HIM)

Reach out today and touch a life. Be the difference in one heart today. Your soul will be blessed beyond measure. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me Psalms 23:4

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses  / Sinners Prayer

Inspiring Music:  Hillsong - As you find me.

Friends are angels who lift our feet when our own wings 

have trouble remembering how to fly.” 

– Author Unknown 

There are 100 Bible verses about friends. 

A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations. Someone to a list of contacts associated with a social networking website.

Do we throw this word around like confetti? Do we take these relationships for granted? We all know that there are degrees of friends… There are friends that become social media friends. Those only see your public persona. There are some that see your persona, but you let them in a few layers deeper and they get to know you just a little bit better.

And then there are the ones that see past your fears, buy into your dreams so you let them into your soul… They become those beautiful colors of your life. There is a caring and mutual love that happens, and they become a part of your chosen family.  They stay in for the count. They stay through every victory and every life trial.  These friends are a gift from God and should be cherished. This gift does not even need to be one that is felt daily or time-stamped. It’s an amazing thing that happens… No matter the time or location when these souls connect. Its like time stood still and magically life picks up right where you left it the last time you looked into their eyes.

Did you know that it has been proven that friendship can extend life expectancy, lower chances of heart disease, and even help us better tolerate pain? 

Through the years I have been blessed to have friends at all the levels above. And some have come, and some are now gone but all have helped me grow. I am still a work in progress. And for those who have touched my life, I say thank you for being you. You know who you are !!

However,  if this is a Bible word study, we need to ask how does the word friendship work in the Bible? I have found so many things in the Bible that when we listen and open our hearts, we can learn so much. Did you know you had an amazing friend from birth? Some of us are blessed to find Him early in our life. Some may never find Him. And the thought of that crushes my soul and makes me sad. 

I am not proud, but I am happy to report that I am one of those better late than never people. But I am so beyond grateful that I found Him and He let me pick up from where I left off. He has held me when there was fear and/or doubt. He bought into my dreams. He has invited me to be one of His chosen family members. The amazing thing I have found, as He gently guides me, and we share in this beautiful Friendship. He has taught me so much, He has taught me how to truly love and how to 

see the blessing of each friendship and each new sunrise.

Did you ever think you could be friends with a KING? Imagine if He was on social media … I wonder how many of us would ask to be His friend, but then only show Him their public persona. Or would you let Him into your soul? 

The Bible outlines how important relationships are in general. They have given us the tools of how we should treat and relate and love others. So, do we get it right? Or do we get too distracted, busy, or callous… Or do we hide behind our social persona… and keep ourselves hidden? 

I say find that friend that has been there since birth, and pick up where you left off and build those beautiful colors of life. He has an invitation with your name on it to be one of His chosen.  His gift is waiting for you. You just need to claim it. 

Friend…

It's Him. It's always Him. 

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." 

Galatians 6:2. "

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31

He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. Proverbs 22:11

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant, does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you John 15:13-15

The word feel appears to be in the Bible only one time. 

Meaning of Feel: to experience something physical or emotional: 

To feel is to know you are alive. To express these feelings can be difficult.  I find it so curious that the Bible does not speak of the feeling that can flood your heart and soul when you can feel the presence of God?  

He has provided every detail imaginable from the past to the present, to the future. And the word feel is missing? Or is it ??  I say no it is not missing it is just not written about .. I feel that it is written on the blank space of the pages...Because how can He be the beautiful example of LOVE and leave out how His LOVE makes us feel?  How can we settle and not discuss it? It seems it would make it a one-way relationship? 

There are songs everywhere about his great LOVE.  And when we hear them the feels can flood our hearts.  The room can be filled with amazing exuberance, tears of joy can stream down faces, and smiles can be seen, as arm’s stretch to the sky. 

I believe it was not discussed because that would appear boastful on His part .. And that is not who He is! He gives us this LOVE in hopes that we will LOVE Him back. He does say how much He loves us .. You see it’s up to us to express our love for Him. That is the most beautiful gift you can give Him! It is a gift that goes straight to His heart ❤.

Take that step,  feel Him 🥰 and write your love for Him on the blank spaces of your heart.  It will build a relationship of Love, Hope, and Peace.  You will find joy like you have never felt. 

Its Him, It's always HIM.  🥰

“That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from every one of us:” Acts 17:27 KJV

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being].”

Deuteronomy 6:5 AMP

“And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants [that is, He will remove the desire to sin from your heart] so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul, so that you may live [as a recipient of His blessing].”

Deuteronomy 30:6 AMP

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses From AMP   / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music: YouTube

You Are The Reason - Calum Scott cover by Alexandra Porat

 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings

 like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Meaning of wings a modified forelimb that bears large feathers and is used for flying.

There are 58 Bible verses about wings. 

Wings, such a curious word… When I think of wings I think of birds, planes, and a beautiful open blue sky. I think of freedom… 

Have you ever wanted to fly? Have you ever wished you had wings to soar above the clouds, catch the warm breeze beneath your wings and drift with such freedom and grace, that you could see the beautiful world below?  It must be amazing and so peaceful…

Can we only dream of this type of freedom…? Or is there a way to obtain it. There are degrees, we can buy a ticket and experience flight in a plane, helicopter, or hot air balloon. And although it might be beautiful for a short ride. It may not fill a void in our soul. And we will continue to search for this kind of freedom and this peace. 

I have found the ticket that allows our hearts to feel light and our souls to take flight like never before. Here you will witness a beauty that will take your breath away. The freedom you will gain will be like nothing you have ever felt in your lifetime. 

In my short time of knowing my Heavenly Father, He has held my hand and kept me in the shadow of His wings…He has given me wings and He has been teaching me to fly…I can relate to the baby bird we see in spring, as they try to learn to fly. The mother bird flies beneath them so they do not crash and risk injury and or even death. He has been that engaged and that important to my life fight pattern. 

It is not a physical flight… It’s has been a soulful fight …It has been the most incredible journey one could travel. It is filled with amazing LOVE. Amazing care. Amazing kindness. It will open your heart, to appreciate the beauty of LIFE, The beauty of LOVE, and the beauty and importance of relationships… And your soul will soar to heights that you never dreamed possible… There you will obtain the beauty and the freedom that your soul has been searching for….. 

Its Him, It's always Him…. 

I am an open book and willing to share where you can buy your ticket to the best flight adventure you will ever have the opportunity to experience. 

The verse below found me early in my word study and has been one of my favorites… It's my safe place in our unpredictable world. 

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses From NIV   / Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music: YouTube

Marc Andre Fortin / The Wind Beneath My Wings 

 "I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music." 

~Johann Sebastian Bach.

There are 56 verses in the Bible that reference voices. 

The meaning of voice: the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song: Or
a particular opinion or attitude expressed. 

Hey, hey you, yes you!! Can you hear me??  Our voices have such a unique sound. Our family and friends' voices become so familiar to our ears and can be felt in our hearts...  It’s when our voice is taken away that we realize how much and how important this gift truly is... 

As a child, I had an accident and fell from our front porch banister. I split my tongue straight up the middle. I remember it was painful and a very bloody experience. My parents rushed me to the nearest Hospital. The doctors in the ER mummified my body to restrain me. They tried several times to stop the bleeding and stitch the wound. But just how do you do this to a child of 5 without putting her to sleep?? 

Well after my biting a few adult fingers and being fully traumatized they decided to put me to sleep for the procedure. When I woke up from the surgery, I was instructed I was not to talk for 8-10 weeks. My voice was gone... Looking back at this moment I realized your voice is important but when we are faced with difficulties we must improvise and find ways to continue to communicate. The game charades became my way of life during the weeks ahead. 

So again, what does this childhood memory have to do with the Bible?? Well, there are a few chosen ones that have heard our Heavenly Father's beautiful voice. However, we also know how inventive and creative our Father can be. 

When He wants our attention, He will stop at nothing to communicate with His children. You may or may not hear His audible voice. But if you still your mind and listen you can hear Him in your soul. You can hear Him in the lyrics of a song, you can see Him speak to your heart through scriptures, and the list goes on. 

So, the challenge becomes very much like a game of charades.  When he says Hey? Hey You? My child, are you listing?   Are we watching and listening? Do we make every effort to open our hearts and listen intently with our souls? His beautiful voice can be heard. 

Shhhh!!! Listen, just listen to His sweet whispers!! Can’t you hear Him? He is speaking to you. Tune in to the melodic frequency of His voice ... Your life will never be the same. It will be better than you can imagine. 

It’s Him, It’s always Him 

Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you, a voice will say. Isaiah 30

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.”

Psalms 29:3-5 NIV

Photography, Design & Written by Lori Garner 

Bible Verses From NIV   /Sinner's Prayer

Inspiring Music: YouTube

You're Still God #StayHome - Philippa Hanna

Listen to the song.. and open heart...