{"id":8142,"date":"2013-04-23T23:12:19","date_gmt":"2013-04-23T23:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=8142"},"modified":"2013-04-23T23:14:42","modified_gmt":"2013-04-23T23:14:42","slug":"substance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=8142","title":{"rendered":"Substance……"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I love wood and old rusted steel! \u00a0I grew up in and era when you bought stuff by the pound, the more it weighed, the more it was worth. \u00a0Maybe that is why I’m drawn to old heavy, historic things. \u00a0Things of substance! \u00a0Today I spent the day shooting down in Big South Fork Scenic Recreation area with Chuck Summers. \u00a0Chuck has been a dear friend, and brother for a long time. Today’s blog is about substance, and so is Chuck! \u00a0Chuck is one of those rare friends that is truly there when you need him. \u00a0I can’t tell you how many tough times he has seen me through, how many times he has prayed for me, and how many times he has just listened to me. \u00a0He has always been there for me, he has been real substance in my life!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So I want to encourage him as he starts pastoring a new church in Henderson, Kentucky. \u00a0Today’s In Touch devotional was the perfect words to share with a friend that has shared so much of his life with me, \u00a0be encouraged my friend……<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Psalm 139<\/span><\/h3>\n

New Living Translation (NLT)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

1\u00a0<\/sup>O Lord, you have examined my heart<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and know everything about me.<\/span>
\n2\u00a0<\/sup>You know when I sit down or stand up.<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You know my thoughts even when I\u2019m far away.<\/span>
\n3\u00a0<\/sup>You see me when I travel<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and when I rest at home.<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You know everything I do.<\/span>
\n4\u00a0<\/sup>You know what I am going to say<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0even before I say it, Lord.<\/span>
\n5\u00a0<\/sup>You go before me and follow me.<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You place your hand of blessing on my head.<\/span>
\n6\u00a0<\/sup>Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0too great for me to understand!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

7\u00a0<\/sup>I can never escape from your Spirit!<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I can never get away from your presence!<\/span>
\n8\u00a0<\/sup>If I go up to heaven, you are there;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0if I go down to the grave, you are there.<\/span>
\n9\u00a0<\/sup>If I ride the wings of the morning,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0if I dwell by the farthest oceans,<\/span>
\n10\u00a0<\/sup>even there your hand will guide me,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and your strength will support me.<\/span>
\n11\u00a0<\/sup>I could ask the darkness to hide me<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and the light around me to become night\u2014<\/span>
\n12\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.<\/span>
\nTo you the night shines as bright as day.<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Darkness and light are the same to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

13\u00a0<\/sup>You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and knit me together in my mother\u2019s womb.<\/span>
\n14\u00a0<\/sup>Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Your workmanship is marvelous\u2014how well I know it.<\/span>
\n15\u00a0<\/sup>You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.<\/span>
\n16\u00a0<\/sup>You saw me before I was born.<\/span><\/p>\n

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.<\/span><\/p>\n

Every moment was laid out<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0before a single day had passed.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

17\u00a0<\/sup>How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0They cannot be numbered!<\/span>
\n18\u00a0<\/sup>I can\u2019t even count them;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0they outnumber the grains of sand!<\/span>
\nAnd when I wake up,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0you are still with me!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

19\u00a0<\/sup>O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Get out of my life, you murderers!<\/span>
\n20\u00a0<\/sup>They blaspheme you;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0your enemies misuse your name.<\/span>
\n21\u00a0<\/sup>O Lord, shouldn\u2019t I hate those who hate you?<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Shouldn\u2019t I despise those who oppose you?<\/span>
\n22\u00a0<\/sup>Yes, I hate them with total hatred,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0for your enemies are my enemies.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

23\u00a0<\/sup>Search me, O God, and know my heart;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0test me and know my anxious thoughts.<\/span>
\n24\u00a0<\/sup>Point out anything in me that offends you,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and lead me along the path of everlasting life.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Most of us yearn to walk through life with a sense of confidence and assurance. But see if the following scenario ever describes you: At the end of your day or week, you feel worn out and depleted. Your nerves are frazzled\u2014you seem to be in a season of trials, trudging through valleys, water, and fire. You know Scripture says the Lord has omniscience and uses all things for His good purposes, but feelings of isolation and discouragement leave you wondering if He\u2019s even aware of the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

If that sounds familiar, then you need this reminder: You do not journey through this life alone. Our loving heavenly Father is and has been with each believer every single day. He travels with us side by side and hand in hand. We are walking in the presence of the living God, whose Spirit abides with us and is in us<\/span> (John 14:16-17<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>.<\/p>\n

No matter what season of life you are in\u2014no matter how long, short, painful, or easy it might be\u2014God wants you to know you are never alone. He is with you always<\/span> (Matt. 28:20<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>. Allow yourself to be encouraged by that truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

David reflected on this reassurance in Psalm 139\u2014he realized that no matter where we might go, the Lord is right there with us. We are never beyond the reach of a God who is full of lovingkindness, mercy, and comfort<\/span> (1 Chron. 16:34; 2 Cor. 1:3<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Friend, remember that God is faithful and omnipresent. You have a partner in this life\u2014a friend that sticks closer than a brother<\/span> (Prov. 18:24<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>, and He will never leave or forsake you, on this day or any other. Have a wonderful time walking with Him today.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chuck know that our Heavenly Father has wonderful plans for you, Bonita, and your ministry! Let go, and trust Him, and know we are all lifting you in prayer!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Blessings,<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

the pilgrim<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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I love wood and old rusted steel! \u00a0I grew up in and era when you bought stuff by the pound, the more it weighed, the more it was worth. \u00a0Maybe that is why I’m drawn to old heavy, historic things. \u00a0Things of substance! \u00a0Today I spent the day shooting down in Big South Fork Scenic […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chronicles"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8142"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8152,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8142\/revisions\/8152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}