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Way Too Early

My watch said it was 1:30 a.m. That’s just too early to get up, so I laid there for another thirty minutes, hoping to go back to sleep but that didn’t happen. My mind was racing, so much to do in the next few days; I needed to write things down so I didn’t forget the little things.

Have you ever been there? I grabbed my robe and slippers, turned on the coffee, sat down with my notepad in hand and made my list. Honestly, I was surprised at what happened next.

After listing a few things that I knew had to be done, I sat quietly waiting for my next thoughts. These I will share with you. This list, that came to mind, is so much better than the chore list I had just written.

“Always be full of joy. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:17-19 ERV

Be thankful! So, I made a list of things I am thankful for at 2 a.m.

  1. New Life when I was spiritually dead – Romans 3:23-24 “God makes people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. He does this for all who believe in Christ. Everyone is the same. 23 All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness. 24 They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ.”
  2. Joy that replaces sorrow – Isaiah 61:3 “…I will give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. I will give them the oil of joy instead of sorrow, and a spirit of praise instead of a spirit of no hope.”
  3. Peace in the middle of the storm – Mark 4:37 “Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.”
  4. Strength when I feel too weak to go on – II Corinthians 12:9 “But the Lord said, ‘My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.’ So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me.”
  5. Hope when all seems lost – Romans 15:13 “ I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
  6. Guidance when I’m not sure of what to do – Psalm 119:105 “Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.”
  7. Victory in Battle – I John 5:4-5 “Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.”
  8. Forgiveness when I fall and healing from dis-ease – Psalm 103:3-4 “ 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.”
  9. Never being left alone – Hebrews 13:5 “…for He has said, ‘I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”

God is ALWAYS faithful to His word and because He is, it is always way too early to worry!

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Stop & Smell the Roses

or in my case, the cactus flowers.

The other day I stopped throughout the park to admire the beauty of the cacti in bloom. Everything from the smallest wildflowers to the mighty Saguaro are bursting with color. This is just one of the many things I love about living in the desert.

There are so many bees working the mesquite trees, you can hear them hum as they work. It’s at times like this that my thoughts go to Romans 1 where the Apostle Paul said that all men would have a witness of God through His creation.

“God’s eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That’s why those people don’t have any excuse.” Romans 1:20 CEV

Looking at these resilient cacti, their brilliant blossoms and the magnificent hills that surround me, I wonder; what is it that you see each day that reminds you of God’s eternal power? Is it the way a mare cares for her newborn colt or a cow nursing a baby calf, the rush of the waves on the seashore, the majesty of the mountains, the course of travel of the clouds in the sky or the way the air smells clean after a rain? All are evidence, in nature, of the glory and power of God!

“The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made.
2 Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power. 3 You cannot hear them say anything. They don’t make any sound we can hear.
4 But their message goes throughout the world. Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth. The sun’s tent is set up in the heavens. 5 It comes out like a happy bridegroom from his bedroom. It begins its path across the sky like an athlete eager to run a race. 6 It starts at one end of the sky and runs all the way to the other end Nothing can hide from its heat.” Psalm 19:1-6 ERV

Jesus was criticized by the religious leaders for letting the crowds line the pathways and praise Him. He gave this answer:

“Some of the Pharisees said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, tell your followers not to say these things.’ 40 But Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, if my followers didn’t say them, these stones would shout them.’” Luke 19:39-40 ERV

Today I choose to sing praise to the Father – all nature gives evidence of His glory and majesty, but I want it to be my voice the Father hears giving Him praise and honor.

Father, to You belongs all honor, glory, power and praise. I love you!

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Every Day Life

Should be lived with purpose.

“‘I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.’ This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.‘” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

All through the Bible we find the plans and purposes of God. This morning, I was caught up in the story of Ruth. A story with a purpose.

Ruth was a young widow who left her home country and traveled with her mother-in-law, who was also widowed, back to Israel. Naomi, the mother-in-law, returned broken in spirit. She had nothing; Ruth told her she would go to the fields and gather the grain that was left behind on the ground after the harvesters had gone through. That was the plan.

The owner of the field, Boaz, came to see how his workers were doing and noticed this young woman. When he asked who she was, he learned her story and respected how she was taking care of Naomi. He told her to continue to come to his fields and gather grain. Then Boaz gave this instruction to his foreman.

“And when she got up to glean, Boaz ordered his young men, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. 16 And let fall some handfuls for her on purpose and let them lie there for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.” Ruth 2:15-16 AMPC

The story ends with Boaz and Ruth marrying and having a son named Obed.

“And her neighbor women gave him a name, saying, A son is born to Naomi. They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David [the ancestor of Jesus Christ].” Ruth 4:7 AMPC

God had a purpose for Ruth; a kind and gentle young woman became the mother of the grandfather of David, who then became king and was called a man whose heart was for God.

Life had dealt Ruth a hard hand. Widowed at a young age, an immigrant, the companion to an older woman with no means of support.

“ We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” Romans 8:28 AMPC

Just a couple of final thoughts on all things working together for good. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers that was not good. But God worked it for good when Joseph was elevated to pharaoh’s second in command, and he saved his family from starvation during a famine.

“Then Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am not God! I have no right to punish you. 20 It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened.” Genesis 50:19-20 ERV

Don’t be afraid to follow God. Live life with purpose, His purpose, because His plan for us is good!

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Encouragement

I’ve been asked a number of times over the years if I ever get discouraged. The answer is two-fold; yes, but not as often as I used too.

Age, experience and mostly God’s sustaining love have a way of changing our perspective.

Discouragement tries to sneak in on the coat tails of fatigue and is often carried in, in the bucket of criticism. It helps to identify both of these culprits quickly and remove them from the scene.

King David is such a wonderful example to follow. He and his army had been off to battle and when they returned home their wives and children had been captured and their homes burned. David’s men were exhausted; discouragement and anger were about to rule the day.

“David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6 AMPC

How do you encourage yourself? I’m so glad you asked.

“8 And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them? The Lord answered him, Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” I Samuel 30:8 AMPC

In other words, David prayed, and God answered. When we are discouraged it’s always best to pray. Not a complaining, whiny kind of prayer but a sincere God-I-need-help kind of prayer. The whining kind focuses on us and our circumstances, the “I need help” focuses us on God and His power!

“Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].” Hebrews 4:16 AMPC

When literal storms (hurricanes, tornados, blizzards) are coming or the storms of physical illness, financial disaster, or relationships attempt to bring destruction, we can and should immediately go confidently and boldly into the Father’s throne room and find help.

There’s no one in the Bible who faced as much criticism and personal persecution, besides Jesus, than Paul. He was beaten, left for dead, imprisoned, shipwrecked, dragged into court in nearly every town he visited.

This is how he battled discouragement.

“And when they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. 24 He, having received [so strict a] charge, put them into the inner prison (the dungeon) and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them, 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and everyone’s shackles were unfastened.” Acts 16:23-26 AMPC

Now that’s encouragement!

God is willing to do this for each of us. He is the Father who is faithful and good. He is our defender and our provider and ready to help!

I sincerely hope that this is message of encouragement to all of you this day.

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Ready to Receive?

For the better part of a week, I’ve been re-reading one particular group of verses. That’s not uncommon, I often mull over Scriptures and meditate on their meaning. These verses have been a part of my return reading for over 40 years.

 “I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” Ephesians 1:16-23 NLT

Please go back and re-read those verses one more time.

Spiritual truth doesn’t have to be “deep” and hard to comprehend. But it does have to be received by faith. I’ve been practicing receiving from the Lord for years.

We are Christ’s body and we are God, the Father’s, inheritance!

I heard one teacher contrast the difference between receiving and getting. Getting implies working hard, striving, manipulating, using your effort to obtain. Receiving, on the other hand, is opening yourself to accept what someone else has done. You receive a gift with gratitude.

Receiving from the Lord is accepting what Jesus has already done – that’s faith. We don’t “work” to “get” from the Lord we walk by faith and accept His gifts of grace.

He wants us to understand and grow in our knowledge of Him. God isn’t trying to hide from us; He is eager for us to get to know Him. He wants our hearts to be flooded with hope as we learn about His power that He has made available to us.

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11 NLT

“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].” Philippians 4:13 AMPC

Are you ready to receive? Hold out your hands and thank God for the wonderful gift of His love, power and strength.

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The Miracle of Love

This morning, I was praying for creativity. You see Dave and I just bought a tiny home, a park model, and we have 399 sq ft to make entirely our own. Yesterday it arrived; the first time we had seen it other than in pictures.

We spent a couple of hours measuring room sizes, the closet, height of the bar, cabinets, etc. Everything will need to fit into this space. Hence my prayer for creativity.

Who better to ask for creative ideas than the Creator of all things?

“I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. 4 Then I ask, ‘Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?’ 5 You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:3-5 CEV

This prayer brought a song to mind. Over the years I have memorized hundreds of lyrics and I love when my heart begins to flood with song and the Lord uses those words to reinforce His word to my heart.

It Took A Miracle
My Father is omnipotent
And that you cant deny;
A God of might and miracles;
‘Tis written in the sky.
Refrain
It took a miracle to put the stars in place;
It took a miracle to hang the world in space.
But when He saved my soul,
Cleansed and made me whole,
It took a miracle of love and grace!
3
The Bible tells us of His power
And wisdom all way through;
And every little bird and flower
Are testimonies, too

My Father is omnipotent – all powerful and He’s omniscient – all knowing. Every little bird and flower are testimonies of His greatness. The intricate details of creation are a testimony to God’s power and design. He is a God of order and not of chaos.

“He renews our hopes and heals our bodies. 4 He decided how many stars there would be in the sky and gave each one a name. 5 Our Lord is great and powerful! He understands everything.” Psalm 147:3-5 CEV

What I’ve learned about the Father down through the years is that He is concerned with what concerns us. He doesn’t want us confused, worried or frustrated. He wants our lives to be filled with peace and wisdom.

“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.” James 1:5 CEV

“Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful.” Colossians 3:15 CEV

He truly desires for us to have wisdom in all our decisions.

“On this earth four things are small but very wise: 25 Ants, who seem to be feeble,
but store up food all summer long;…” Proverbs 30:24-25 CEV

He gives the ants wisdom and instinct to preserve their lives, so you know He cares for us and our circumstances.

Whether it’s how to best use a small space, a grocery list, a career path, raising children, financial advice, or which medical provider and procedure is best God has the answer.

When we ask for wisdom, He gives it freely. It’s a miraculous provision of His love and grace!

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Promise Keeper Miracle Worker

Somebody needs this, this morning. I know I do!

“All of God’s promises have their yes in him. That is why we say Amen through him to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 1:20 CEB

When God makes a promise He keeps it because simply put, God cannot lie. What promise has God made you that you haven’t seen come to pass yet?

Don’t get weary, stand strong it will happen!!

Young Joseph had a dream that all his brothers would bow down to him one day and then his brothers sold him into slavery because of their jealousy. I’m sure Joseph was beginning to wonder how God was going to make this all come about but he knew God was with him.

“The traders who bought Joseph took him down to Egypt. They sold him to the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, Potiphar. 2 The LORD helped Joseph become a successful man. Joseph lived in the house of his master, Potiphar the Egyptian. 3 Potiphar saw that the LORD was with Joseph and that the LORD helped Joseph be successful in everything he did.” Genesis 39:1-3 ERV

Another man with a promise was Abraham. He had God’s promise that he would be the father of many nations. He had to wait 25 years to see it come to pass and during that time he hoped against hope, knowing that God was faithful. He wasn’t without hope; he was with God.

What about Noah? He was told by God that it was going to rain, and he needed to build an ark and collect two of every kind of animal. In all the time that it took to build the ark, he kept preaching for his neighbors to repent. He told them that God was going to send rain even though it had never rained before. A promise made; a promise kept.

I will ask again what promise has God made you?

“My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:13

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:19

“Great shall be the peace of thy children for they are taught of the Lord.” Isaiah 54:13

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue that rises up against you, you shall condemn for this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgives all my iniquities; who heals all my diseases;” Psalm 103:2-3

“Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God believe also in me” John 14:1

“The thief cometh not but for to steal, kill and destroy but I am come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

I’m not sure if your promise is in this list but if it isn’t, add it. God will keep His word; He is faithful to a thousand generations. He hasn’t lied in the past and He’s not going to start now by lying to you.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! Your answer is yes in Christ; He’s the promise keeper!

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Left Without

For most of the day yesterday I kept thinking about the void people experience who don’t know God. It hurts my heart!

So much bad news, so much turmoil and when we are left without our personal relationship with the Lord we are also left without peace, joy, and most of all hope. Hope!

“You were living without Christ then. The Jewish people who belonged to God had nothing to do with you. The promises He gave to them were not for you. You had nothing in this world to hope for. You were without God.

13 But now you belong to Christ Jesus. At one time you were far away from God. Now you have been brought close to Him. Christ did this for you when He gave His blood on the cross.” Ephesians 2:12-13 NLV

There’s a phrase I always look for in the Bible when I’m reading about people facing hardships and overwhelming odds. That is “but God”. That’s what the Apostle Paul wrote in the verses above.

We were living without Christ, we had nothing to hope for BUT Christ brought us close to God and now we have relationship with Him.

“We can come to God without fear because we have put our trust in Christ.” Ephesians 3:12 NLV

Because of our relationship with God through Christ we are now without fear and blame – we have hope, we have peace, we have help.

“ May the God of peace set you apart for Himself. May every part of you be set apart for God. May your spirit and your soul and your body be kept complete. May you be without blame when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 The One Who called you is faithful and will do what He promised.” I Thessalonians 5:23-24 NLV

I couldn’t leave you today without a song. It’s a song I remember singing when I was a teenager. It has brought me encouragement so, so, so many times throughout my life. It’s been sung by a number of artists but most recently I’ve enjoyed listening to Josh Turner sing, Without Him.

Without him, I would be dying
Without him, I’d be enslaved
Without him, life would be hopeless
But with Jesus, thank God I’m saved

“ Let us go with complete trust to the throne of God. We will receive His loving-kindness and have His loving-favor to help us whenever we need it.” Hebrews 4:16

Without Him I’d surely fail BUT thank GOD I am never left without God and His love!

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There’s A Void

…without Him

My thoughts this morning focused on one thing – I found it in the first few verses of Genesis.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said…” Genesis 1:1-3 KJV

No form – there was darkness and a void until God spoke. Those few words can describe everyone who is reading this. There’s a darkness and a void but God isn’t content to leave us that way. He desires to fill the void.

God spoke and there was light. God separated the light from the dark so we would have time to rest and time to flourish. He spoke and land separated from the waters; the earth teamed with life of every sort and the things God created He called good. When He created humanity, He called it very good.

He speaks and worlds change. He speaks and lives are transformed. It’s the power of God’s word that creates.

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11 NKJV

John, the Apostle, called Jesus the Word. His very existence here on earth was the Word of God being accomplished. Our lives prosper because of Him.

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8 NKJV

We were without strength but God stepped in to fill the void with His love. When God speaks things change. Power and life replace the weakness.

“Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks to Him…9 For Christ is not only God-like, He is God in human flesh. 10 When you have Christ, you are complete. He is the head over all leaders and powers.” Colossians 2:7-10 NLV

“The church is Christ’s body. It is filled with him. He makes everything complete in every way.” Ephesians 1:23 ERV

Because of Christ the void is filled, and we are complete in Him.

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Catch and Release

I like something I saw some time back. It went like this:

Religion is a man sitting in church thinking about fishing – Relationship is a man fishing thinking about God!

I believe in Christian fellowship and I believe in attending church but if it’s done from ritual or tradition it really isn’t profitable. However, when it’s done because of relationship with the Father church attendance is a wonderful place of strength and growth and it is also a wonderful place of service. But I’m not here to talk about church attendance.

I’m asking you today to see how many times you find yourself thinking about the Father and how many times you find yourself reaching out to someone in a gesture of His love; not in a religious, preachy sort of way but just genuine caring and concern? A smile, a hug, a phone call or a note, being patient with someone who you feel is incompetent or unprepared; taking time to help someone else even if it means you are detained from doing what you “want” to do – look for the God directed interruptions to your day.

Jesus was a fisher of men. He was always looking for those who had been “caught” up in the world’s entanglements and “release” them into the loving arms of His Father.

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you…40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:34-40 NJKV

Many times the Father interrupts our day with His thoughts and reminders that He cares about the smallest details in our life; a creative thought that makes work more efficient, a friendly stranger giving us their place in a long line, finding something we need for less that we expected to pay, a great parking space, a smoother flow of traffic, a call from a friend, a smile or soft word of love from someone we hold dear. These are all ways the Father reaches out to us.

We might think that God doesn’t really care about the little things but we’d be wrong – He’s the master of the tiny details.

“Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. 30 Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31 So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 CEV

If He sees the sparrow fall and He does; He knows the smallest detail about our life and He is invested in showing us His love!

He caught us and is releasing us to be ambassadors for the kingdom of His love.

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