Blog

Posted on

Are We Satisfied?

Who was it that decided we should have new year resolutions? Why did the first week of the year become a time of evaluating our level of satisfaction with our personal status quo?

I’m not sure who it was or how it came about but I do know that this is something the Father has designed for us. When we find that we are unsatisfied it’s time for a change, no point in waiting until the first of the year.

What we’re looking at here isn’t a change in careers, lifestyle, locations or social activities. No, it’s a new focus and dependence on the Father and His word. It seems that all of my systematic reading through both the Old & New Testaments this morning brought to the source of true satisfaction.

Read these verses and let them speak for themselves.

“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”” Psalm 91:15-16 NKJV

“Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. 15 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. 16 Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory.” Psalm 90:14-16 NLT

“The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. 14 The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. 15 The eyes of all look to you in hope;
you give them their food as they need it. 16 When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. 17 The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness.” Psalm 145:13-17 NLT

God’s desire is that we be satisfied with Him and in Him. When we place our trust in the Father, letting Him lead and direct the course of our lives we will be satisfied because His will and purpose is for our good.

He is gracious, kind, ready to restore and give hope.

“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.” Matthew 5: 6 NLT

“I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. ” Luke 6:47-48 NLT

It seems that our world is in the midst of a pandemic – no, not COVID but an outbreak of discontentment and dissatisfaction. It can be as destructive as a tidal wave. But when we have our lives built securely on God’s word we rest on a secure foundation.

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT

We all need to identify those issues that rob our satisfaction, search God’s word for the solutions and trust Him to bring us to a place of a long and satisfying life.

Posted on

We Are Human Beings

As I sit here this morning, I realize again that God’s design for me is that of a human “being”.

We are all created in His image and He is not a god of inactivity or silence. Our heavenly Father is active, He is constantly in process of being. The Hebrew names for God tell us He is Lord God Almighty, our provider, our shepherd, the Living God, our peace, our Father and more.

Our Father has made Himself available to us every day and in every situation. Jesus showed that during His life on earth. He was involved; he attended weddings, funerals, dinners, feast days. He was at the bedside of the sick, in the streets with prostitutes, tax collectors, and the outcasts of society. He could be found at the seashore with fisherman and in the Temple with the religious leaders. He came to be involved.

Is it any wonder that we are called human beans beings? We are called to be His ambassadors on this earth. We are to be examples of His love and goodness. Let’s look at a few other things we are called to be.

“Be” still – Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

“Be” quiet – But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33

“Be” ready – But keep the Lord Christ holy in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have. I Peter 3:15

“Be” obedient – If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: Isaiah 1:19

“Be” rich – Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; I Timothy 1:17-18

“Be”lieve – Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23

There’s only thing the Lord doesn’t want us to be, we are not to be ashamed of the gospel of Christ.

What is God asking you to “Be” today? More than anything He wants you to be available!

Posted on

Overwhelmed

Have you ever taken the time to sit quietly and think on God’s goodness? When I do this I am overwhelmed!

We need to contemplate, as the song says, “the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God”!

“I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10 NLT

I heard the testimony of a young evangelist 40 years ago. He had been invited to speak at a gathering during the Jesus movement of the 1970’s. Speaker after speaker stood and gave testimony to God’s saving grace. They told of drugs, homelessness, imprisonment, alcoholism, severely depression. Then it was his turn. The moderator said to him, “Tell us how you got here.” He said I quietly answered, “On the bus.” Everyone laughed.

He then went on to tell the crowd how being raised in a Christian home he had never strayed, but God had kept him, giving him strength to overcome the temptations that so many others had experienced. He said the miracle of being kept from a life of sin was just as great as being delivered out of that lifestyle.

I hear people talk of how God protected and delivered them in dangerous and life-threatening situations. I am so thankful for the miraculous deliverance of my friends and family, but I am just as grateful that Dave and I have driven hundreds of thousands of miles without a “close call” or an accident. That too is miraculous!

The children of Israel saw the miraculous power of God deliver them from Egypt, part the Red Sea, provide food from heaven, and then bring them to the Promised Land that was flowing with milk and honey.

“‘I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them. 14 ‘So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly.'” Joshua 24:13-14a NLT

Never downplay what seems ordinary when compared to the miraculous. The person who has had a miraculous healing from a life-threatening disease prays for a life of ordinary good health.

The Bible uses the illustration of sheep and the Good Shepherd on several occasions. One story is of a shepherd who went out to find one lost sheep. That sheep needed rescuing; it needed a miracle. However, there were 99 sheep who weren’t lost but had been living under the shepherd’s overwhelming, never-ending, precious loving care.

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC

“ The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack…Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.” Psalm 23:1, 6 AMPC

We all need to take time to be overwhelmed by the ordinary, everyday, protection and provision of God’s love. It’s miraculous!

Posted on

Amazing Grace

As I sit here this morning the rain is gently falling. It started yesterday and subsided overnight, but it has come again this morning. The desert ground is soaking in the much-needed moisture. In a few days the earth will show signs of new life.

The love grass will push its way through the crusted soil, the Ocotillo will begin to show its green leafy buds followed by the bright orange/red blossoms. Cacti that have been thin will plump as they retain the precious moisture that is gracing the earth.

I love it when it rains in the desert – there’s a fragrance of freshness that I haven’t experienced in any other locale. Somehow, it seems appropriate to have rain the first days of the year. Not only a refreshing for the earth but a refreshing for the soul.

While reading this morning I was searching for the verses that were the basis of the great hymn “Amazing Grace”. It’s God’s grace that brings life to our souls in the same way that the rain brings life to the desert.

John Newton wrote that hymn in the late 1700’s. He had been a godless man, filled with hatred – a slave trader until he personally experienced the life-changing love of God. He became the recipient of “Amazing Grace”. “The song we know as Amazing Grace was published with the title “1 Chronicles 17:16–17, Faith’s Review and Expectation”, without any accompanying music.”

“Then King David went to the Holy Tent and sat before the Lord. David said, ‘Lord God, you have done so much for me and my family. And I don’t understand why. 17 Besides all these things, God, you let me know what will happen to my family in the future. Lord God, you have treated me like a very important man. 18 What more can I say? You have done so much for me. And I am only your servant. You know that. 19 Lord, you have done this wonderful thing for me and because you wanted to. 20 There is no one like you, Lord. There is no God except you. We have never heard of any god doing wonderful things like those!'” I Chronicles 17:16-20 ERV

I had expressed my thoughts, similar to these, in my journal this morning and had thanked the Father for bringing me “safe thus far” and for His faithfulness that I know will continue throughout the rest of my life. I am so thankful for His blessing of grace. That’s when these two verses from Amazing Grace filled my heart.

“Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come,
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.”

I believe that the Father has set the theme for my life in 2023 to be growing in grace. I have nothing and am nothing without His grace. I will say with King David “Lord, you have done this wonderful thing for me and because you wanted to. 20 There is no one like you, Lord. There is no God except you.”

May your life be filled with the amazing grace of God!

Posted on

As We Begin

In the beginning…a New Year, a blank slate, a clean page, a new horizon, a fresh start. How many more clichés can I come up with? You get the point.

Does this year start any differently than those in the past? High expectations are easily replaced by disappointment unless the beginning has a solid foundation.

God is the master of beginnings.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 KJV

“In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God.” John 1:1 CEV

The best way to start this new year is to have God in your beginning! God the Father and His creative power is here to fill your beginning. And God the Son, Jesus, the Word, is here as our example of what life is like when we depend upon the Father.

Oh and one more verse.

“But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.

27 I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn’t like the peace this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:26-27 CEV

The Holy Spirit comes to remind us of what the Jesus taught us about our relationship with the Father. That relationship will bring us peace and freedom from worry. Our heavenly Father desires for us to be worry free. The angels who announced the birth of Jesus said, “Fear not”. The angel who came to both Mary and Joseph first said, “don’t be afraid”. When the storm came up on the sea and the disciples thought they would drown Jesus said, “fear not”.

When God works in our lives He brings peace, not fear.

What a great way to begin this year and it’s a great way to walk through each day. In the beginning is God and He promises to bring us peace.

Happy New Year!

Posted on

One More Gift

Some of you have been reading the advent devotional I wrote several years ago and today you’ll read the last chapter and then you’ll probably put the book away until next year. But I want you to know there’s one more gift I’d like to share with you before the year ends.

Last night I pulled my covers up tight, tucked myself in and began to thank the Father for the many wonderful gifts He has blessed me with over the years. As I was thanking Him for filling my life, I heard myself say “thank you for making each day a gift”.

For 10+ years I have been sharing daily the goodness of God on Facebook and the last 5 years I have also been writing this blog. Each day I wake up knowing that there will be something in the day that I can embrace, each day is a gift of His love.

“Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” James 1:17 CEV

But my life wasn’t always filled with this awareness.

I grew up in a Christian home and gave my heart to Christ when I was very young. However, as a teenager my relationship with the Lord lacked relevance. I became more concerned with pleasing people and being accepted by them than I was with the Lord. My first year in Bible College I became so despondent that I attempted to take my life.

That’s when the love of the heavenly Father became real to me. That’s when I came to know that each day is a gift from God. He wasn’t just some stories I had been told in Sunday School and the Bible wasn’t just words on the pages of a book.

“…’Lord, there is no one else that we can go to! Your words give eternal life. 69 We have faith in you, and we are sure that you are God’s Holy One.’” John 6:68-69 CEV

My relationship changed. I saw myself the way He saw me. With all of my faults and my failures, my Father loved me unconditionally. There was nothing I could do to earn His love and there was nothing I would do that would keep Him from loving me.

Each day His word gives me the gift of life!

“ I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. 12 You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. 13  You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you” Jeremiah 29:11-13 CEV

Each day is a gift – a gift of hope and a gift of help!

As this year ends and we look to 2023 we have no way of knowing what things will come our way but we have the Father’s promise that our future will be filled with hope.

Each day is a gift from the Father – a gift filled with love!

Posted on

Watch Your Step

How well I remember my first winter in Washington state. We moved from San Diego to Spokane in November. Spokane was having record snowfall and here I was, a newbie to maneuvering in the snow.

I had never driven on snow covered roads before and the only walking I had done in snow was through the forest to cut our Christmas trees. I was invited to participate in a morning walk around the neighborhood with a family member and her friend. It felt good to get out in the brisk morning air.

All was going well. I was enjoying the beauty of the morning and the conversation, making new friends in our new city. We had made a loop through the neighborhood and were on our way back to the house when my feet went out from under me and down I came, landing on my bottom and my right wrist.

You guessed it! My wrist was badly broken. I had to get up and then wait for one of the ladies to get back to the house and bring help. (These were the days before cell phones) Dave arrived and took me to the ER to get my wrist set.

I don’t know how many medical professionals asked me about the accident – admissions, nurses, x-ray technicians and doctors, who after hearing what happened said the same thing. “You’ve got to watch your step when you’re out walking like that. You never know if you’re walking on snow covered ice. It’s so easy to slip and fall.” Good advice but really not helpful, the damage was already done. Little did I know that this break would require time in the surgery suite and an overnight stay in the hospital.

Yesterday morning this was the memory that came to mind as I was reading in the book of Luke.

“But the news about Yeshua was spreading all the more, and many crowds were coming together to hear and to be healed of their diseases. 16 Yet He would often slip away into the wilderness and pray.” Luke 5:15-16 TLV

Slip away – I’m not sure why those two words struck a chord in my heart, but they did. Jesus was intentional in His actions. He purposely made the decision to “slip”. It wasn’t accidental, it didn’t cause injury, quite the opposite. This type of slipping brought strength and refreshing.

A couple of times yesterday I found myself “slipping” into frustration and irritation and immediately the Lord reminded me to watch my step. I could have slipped into those emotions but I “slipped away” instead.

Just a quick silent prayer “Lord, help me keep it together. I choose to be loving and kind”.

It’s so easy to let ourselves slip into things like anger, frustration, criticism, gossip, fear and self-pity. But if we heed the advice that those medical professionals gave of “watch your step” we can follow the example of Jesus and slip away to pray.

Maybe we should all slip away for a time of prayer before we step into the new year.

Posted on

Rough Roads

We had a great time taking the family to the Polar Express in Williams on Tuesday. It was one of those “memory makers” that we, grandparents, hope to make with our grandchildren.

We had hoped for some snow so the kids could also make their first snowballs and possibly a snowman. When we woke yesterday morning the cars in the parking lot at the hotel had a nice little covering of snow. What we didn’t realize was that the road which led to home was snow packed.

Making snowballs in the parking lot was fun for them. They giggled as they made their slushy projectiles, lobbing them at their mother and siblings. All the while Pappy and their Dad were making plans on how to navigate the roads.

The weather and road apps didn’t give us the full story. We talk with the hotel desk clerk, and she said her managers had come from Flagstaff and they didn’t report any problems, so we loaded the kids in their car, we got in the truck and headed out.

The first several miles were fine. Driving slower than normal but nothing too concerning. And then – well the roads got worse, no ice but snow packed ruts narrowed to one lane and it was very slow going. It was that way for the next hundred miles. (The picture was taken when the roads got better.)

As we reached the lower elevations the snow turned to rain and the roads were open again. Our daughter text me saying, “This is why I’m glad we no longer live in the snow”. Amen to that.

Those roads reminded me of a Scripture.

“A voice is calling, ‘Make the way ready for the Lord in the desert. Make the road in the desert straight for our God. 4 Every valley will be lifted up and every mountain and hill will be brought down. The turns in the road will be made straight and the bad places will be made smooth. 5 Then the shining-greatness of the Lord will be seen. All flesh together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’” Isaiah 40:3-5 NLV

These are the words of prophecy that were given about the ministry of Jesus.

When life seems to be full of twists and turns, rough and rocky places, we can depend on the Lord to make the bad places smooth. The power of God in our lives will make crooked places straight; turn struggles into strength and battles into triumph.

Keep going even though the path narrows and the way seems constricted. It may be a difficult road to navigate but when we keep your eyes on Him we will see the path clear and His shining-greatness will be revealed.

Posted on

Anticipation

We should be living every day with a sense of anticipation – not fear, but excitement for the wonderful things God has planned for us!

This morning I know three small children who are waking up with anticipation. I hope their folks are too. You see, Dave and I gave the gift of experience to our youngest daughter’s family for Christmas. Today we will drive to northern Arizona, early evening we will board a train for the Polar Express experience.

The weather forecast is calling for snow this evening and tomorrow. It will be a day filled with firsts. A first train ride, not just a first for the littles but for Dave too. And a first for snow for the little ones! The excitement is building – that wonderful sense of anticipation!

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 NLT

Anticipation: Always be full of joy and don’t worry about anything! That is our instruction from God the Father.

This morning I was reminiscing about the last 10 years. We have had numerous moments of anticipation: the sale of our home in Montana, our return to AZ, births, weddings, home goings, cancer treatment, back surgery, full-time RV leaving. Yes, there has been much anticipation and there are new ones for 2023.

“Praise the Lord, O my soul. And all that is within me, praise His holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, O my soul. And forget none of His acts of kindness. 3 He forgives all my sins. He heals all my diseases. 4 He saves my life from the grave. He crowns me with loving-kindness and pity. 5 He fills my years with good things and I am made young again like the eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5 NLV

Remembering the past and looking forward to the future should heighten our sense of expectation. Young David, the shepherd, remembered the Lord’s help in killing a lion and a bear and so it increased his anticipation of success when he went out to face Goliath.

Moses reminded the Israelites on how the Lord had delivered them from Egypt, opened the Red Sea, and fed them with manna. These events of the past filled them with hope of God’s continued provision for their future as they entered the promised land.

“ I have been young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the man who is right with God left alone, or his children begging for bread.” Psalm 37:25 NLV

As we remember the past it should give us great anticipation for our future. God is faithful to a thousand generations – He is the Father of strength and victory. Be full of joy and free of worry as you anticipate the year ahead!

(There will be no blog tomorrow morning. I want to focus on my time with family.)

Posted on

Is It Over?

The piles of torn paper and empty boxes is a scene that played out in millions of homes worldwide. The joy and the laughter, the hugs and kisses, the thank-yous and oooh’s and aaaah’s are still fresh in our memories.

Face-to-face conversations and loving words exchanged over the phone were all added bonuses of the day.

I’m sitting here this morning recalling the texts, the sounds of loved ones voices, the snuggles, all the details of the day and I imagine Mary did the same.

Every one of us mothers can remember what it was like to wake up the day after one of our children were born. We spent time going over in our heart the emotions of the day, those that came to visit and once again holding that tiny child in our arms – counting every finger and toe. Kissing the top of their head, holding them tightly and marveling at the life of one so small.

Imagine what must of have going through Mary’s heart that morning after Christ’s birth. She was in a stable, with a man who had showed her unconditional love and holding a child in her arms who was God’s gift to mankind. How blessed – how in awe!

“ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” Luke 2:16-19 NLT

The life ahead of Mary was new and uncharted territory. She had never been a mother or a wife before. So much about her life was changing. Her Son was the promised Messiah! How do you raise the Son of God? Yes, there was so much to ponder. She would need to be dependent upon God for His help and instruction.

What will we “ponder” today? Is it the travel home, the new job after the first of the year? Maybe there will be a medical procedure that you’re dreading.

Is Christmas over and now we go on with the daily routine or will we be like Mary and realized that we need a greater dependence upon God for the days ahead?

Let’s take time to be thankful that Christmas has life changing, glorious meaning for every day of the year!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress