Category: Hebrews

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Run the Race

We’ve spent the last week at the racetrack here in Arizona. Those of you who know Dave and I know that we are big NASCAR fans. Watching on TV can be exciting but being at a live race is the best!

This weekend there are three different races. Each race has its’ own practice and qualifying times. Each race is a different length and each race has cars with different engines and calibrations.

But in every race the goal is the same. Reach the finish line and take the checkered flag.

Friday’s race was less than interesting, to me. The cars went slower, the drivers were less skilled and I wasn’t familiar with any of them. Yesterday’s driver introductions brought more cheers from the stands. These drivers’ were more well known and had built a bigger reputation, some for the good and others not so good.

Today’s race introductions will be before a larger crowd and the cheering will be amplified. These drivers are the elite and their skills and vehicles are top notch. The drivers have a larger fan base.

Isn’t that the way it is with life?

When we’re little our fans are limited to our own family members – mom, dad, grandma and grandpa. They ooh and aah over drawings and 100% on spelling papers. Then we join a youth sports team and the parents of our teammates are cheering for us too. We learn to respond to cheering.

God knew that and so He has given us a cheering squad for this race called life.

“We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. 2 We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1-2 ERV

Heaven is filled with saints who are watching our race and cheering us on. Jesus is our leader, our coach and our number one cheerleader. He sits beside the Father, telling Him how great we are and how glad he is we’re all on the same team. He also tells the Father when we need help – Jesus intercedes for us.

How can we go wrong with a coach like that? Here on earth it’s nice to have a cheering squad too.

“ So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11 ERV

We all need people who will encourage us and pray for us. People we can call on in the good times and the bad. People who are honest enough to tell us when we need to make a course correction. It’s called accountability. Find friends like that, true friends and value them. Pray that God will add friends like that to your life. They are true gifts.

And don’t give up running the race!

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Hope for Living

Last night Dave and I were visiting and listening to the radio. We’re not big radio listeners – never have been but the last few days, here at the racetrack, it’s something we’ve started. What station? Glad you asked, KLOVE.

What a great way to start and end each day; one song after another filled with the power of God’s promises and the encouragement of praise.

Without Jesus, we really have no hope. I know what that’s like and being on the other side of that now, I can tell you I never want to go back to that prison again.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has great mercy, and because of his mercy he gave us a new life. This new life brings us a living hope through Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death.” I Peter 1:3 ERV

As Dave and I talked we were reminded of where we’ve been. There have been times that we were desperate – almost hopeless. He was working 100+ hours a week, we had a toddler and a baby on the way. Things were bleak. Another time we had to close the door on our business.

With our heart’s cry of desperation, we said “Lord, we need You. We need You to show us the way out, the way forward. We need Your direction. We need help!”

The Lord gave us two verses back then.

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

“ Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV

We’ve had other times when we either forgot to ask the Lord for His leading or have just ventured out to do things on our own and have faced failure and hopelessness, but God has been faithful to pick us up, help us through and bring us to a good place.

“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. 16 But answer them in a gentle way with respect…” I Peter 3:15-16 ERV

A song came on the radio right before we were heading to bed. What a powerful message of hope! “In Jesus Name” by Katy Nichole

I speak the name of Jesus over you
In your hurting, in your sorrow
I will ask my God to move
I speak the name ’cause it’s all that I can do
In desperation, I’ll seek Heaven
And pray this for you

[Chorus]
I pray for your healing, that circumstances would change
I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus name
I pray that a breakthrough would happen today
I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name
In Jesus name

This is my prayer for you – I speak the name of Jesus over you, over every circumstance, over every fear. I pray that you will have a living hope!

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No Need To Update

Does change bother you? I have to admit some changes bother me. Some I find exciting and completely embrace, like our decision to sell the house, downsize and move into the RV fulltime. I am loving that!

However, I don’t like it when my favorite stores do a “reset” and move the things I’m looking for. I’m also not so crazy about updating my computer systems and finding new internet service. Those things really annoy me…just sayin’.

Three days ago, we changed our internet service provider. It didn’t work the way it was supposed to, and our frustration level increased. Two days ago, my computer said I needed to do a system update. I try to avoid those whenever possible but since it had to be done, I clicked on the button and let it do its thing.

Yesterday with the internet still not working correctly and with a new layout on my screen (because of the update), I was almost at wit’s end. Now I know those of you who are computer savvy will find this trivial and wonder why it bothered me so. But, it did.

I made a call to the internet company. The tech made some corrections while I was on the phone and everything is working properly. After doing my regular work with my laptop yesterday I am more comfortable with the changes this morning. Aww, I’m breathing easier.

However, there is one thing that will never change. No update needed. No tech support to make adjustments.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 ERV

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

There is such assurance and comfort in knowing that the Father will always be the same. God’s word will not change or lose its power and effectiveness. He isn’t old-fashioned or outdated; He is always current. He is eternal.

“The whole world, earth and sky, will be destroyed, but my words will last forever.” Matthew 24:35 ERV

“I am the Lord, and I don’t change.” Malachi 3:6 ERV

God will always hate sin but He will always love the sinner. His lovingkindness will last forever. He will always be compassionate and forgiving. He will always answer when we call. He will always extend mercy to us who come to Him and provide help when we are in need!

“Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV

God never changes. What changes is our understanding of Him, we gain depth in our relationship with Him.

He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. He is always the same!

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Roaring Oceans

For the last couple of days, I have shared with you the Scriptures that keep me on a solid footing each day. In my 68, almost 69, years there have been days with roaring waves and those of calm seas. What I’ve learned in my relationship with the Father is He wants me to be at peace regardless of what I see around me.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV

Sadly, I admit, I haven’t always enjoyed being alone with just my thoughts. My heart would become anxious. Maybe you’re like that. But it’s in this quiet that God reassures us of His presence.

“God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. 2 So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea. 3 We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. Selah …He is there to help even before sunrise. 6 Nations will shake with fear and kingdoms will fall when God shouts and makes the earth move. 7 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah 8 Look at the powerful things the Lord has done. See the awesome things he has done on earth…10 God says, ‘Stop fighting and know that I am God! I am the one who defeats the nations; I am the one who controls the world.’ 11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah” Psalm 46 ERV

The Psalmist recognizes that there will be earthquakes, raging seas and rough times but it also says God is there to help us even before the sun rises. We are told to stop fighting. I think that refers to fighting our own fears and anxiousness because it goes on to say, “I am the one who controls the world; I am the place of safety”. The Psalm ends with the word Selah which means to pause, reflect, and take time to let what you just heard sink in.

I used to hate being alone with my thoughts, focusing on the quiet of my own heart. It told me I was unworthy, I was alone, I wouldn’t amount to anything. It pointed out all my failures and my shortcomings. But that wasn’t really my heart talking that was my mind. I never measured up so why did I want a quiet time to reflect on all that was wrong with me?

It was in that quiet time of reading, learning and applying God’s word that I found peace, true peace. It provided me with my firm foundation.

“With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 ERV

When I come to the Father’s throne, in the quiet of the morning, I find grace, mercy, kindness and help. I find Jesus!

This time before the sun rises is where I find help for when the oceans roar!

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An Audience with the King

I have a very strong image of God, the Father, as my heavenly father. I often see Him in my mind’s eye, sitting with me, as a father does with his daughter. There is a familiarity that comes with the closeness of His love. It gives me great comfort.

Then I come across verses that I read this morning and if brings me back to the fact that my Father, my heavenly Father, is the ruler of the universe. There is no power greater than His.

He reigns in majesty!

“Our Lord, you are King! Majesty and power are your royal robes. You put the world in place,
  and it will never be moved. 2 You have always ruled, and you are eternal.

3 The ocean is roaring, Lord! The sea is pounding hard. 4 Its mighty waves are majestic,
  but you are more majestic, and you rule over all. 5 Your decisions are firm, and your temple will always be beautiful and holy.” Psalm 93 CEV

You have always ruled…always. And He still does!

I remember the words from a movie I like. The king has disguised himself as a commoner so he could live among his subjects. At a climaxing moment in the movie, he reveals himself as king. He makes this statement, “I am king and as such my words are incontestable”!

The words of a king are law and as such they are not to be argued with. What he says is established.

Our Father, the King, has established His word forever.

“The sky and the earth won’t last forever, but my words will.” Matthew 24:35 CEV

The stars are held in place by his word, the seas hold their ebb by his word, the sun rises and sets according to his word. We can put our trust in His word and know that He will not lie and He will not change. His word is incontestable!

That gives me great confidence and hope. The Almighty God, the One who was, who is and who will always be, is the ruling force behind the words I base my life on. There is no one, no force of nature, no government, no other power who can stop His word from coming to pass.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

We are invited to come bravely before the throne of Almighty God and find help. He has extended the invitation. We have full access to an audience with the King!

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He Brews

This morning’s blog could also be entitled, “Where There’s a Will There’s A Way”, but since it’s about coffee I went with what I thought was a cuter title.

Rarely is our home without coffee so you can imagine my shock when I discovered Friday morning that I had no more coffee stored in the freezer. The canister had enough for Saturday’s pot and then we were out. Our favorite coffee has been missing from our grocery store shelves.

What to do? I went on-line and did what any self-respecting coffee drinker would do, I ordered from Amazon with a promise of next day delivery. It must have been the late hour I ordered or the fear of not having coffee for this morning’s brew but in my haste I didn’t see that I ordered coffee beans.

Yesterday when the order arrived Dave brought it in from the driver and the look on his face was puzzling. He asked, “you ordered coffee beans?”. No…but I had. We don’t have a coffee grinder, ugh. Dave laughed and said, “well, you can always beat them with a hammer”. Not funny!

No problem, I have a food processor. Oh yes, that’s what I did, I’m embarrassed to admit it but it’s true. It wasn’t ground fine enough to get a good brew but there is coffee in the pot this morning and that’s all that matters. I have Dave’s promise that we will go to town and buy a coffee grinder. (I just sold one we never used in a garage sale before we moved.)

I could have gone to town yesterday and bought coffee but not my favorite blend. I could have gone to town yesterday late after my coffee order arrived and bought a grinder but I’m more determined and resourceful than that.

This morning as I was sipping my weak cup of coffee and thinking about what to share the words He Brews came to mind and I knew I had to share my blight but first I needed a verse to tie it all together.

“6 But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him.” Hebrews 11:6 CEV

I went through all the above to satisfy my palate for a pot of my favorite coffee. What amount of time and effort I am willing to expend in searching for God who satisfies my soul?

Why is it hard some mornings to sit down and pick up my Bible and study? Time spent in the Word is much more beneficial than a second-rate grinding of coffee beans. People are hurting; they’ve lost loved ones. Parents have lost newborns; spouses have lost their mates. Mental anguish has invaded homes in a similar manner to cancer invading a body; we need to be able to give hope to those who have lost theirs.

When we believe that God is real, we must search for Him. When we search for Him, we will find Him – He’s not hiding, and He will reward us in our search. He will replace our pain with His peace, our confusion with His comfort, our fear with His forgiveness, our loneliness with His love.

If the silliness of my search for coffee taught you anything I hope it was this; put your efforts into searching out the things that have eternal value. Coffee is good but God is great!

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In A Fog

Years ago our son, youngest daughter and I drove from Spokane WA to Carlsbad CA over Spring break. I was so glad to have our son with me so we could share the driving. We were driving, in the wee hours of the morning, on the roads up by Mount Shasta. Traffic was light, just us and some semi’s. We made a bend in the road and drove right into a fog bank!

Oh my goodness! That was scary. Lots of prayers were being said like “Please don’t let any semi’s come up behind us and don’t let us come up behind any of them either”. And then, just as soon as we had come into the fog, we made another bend and the road was clear.

This happened several more times before we out of the mountain pass. Very stressful to say the least. That was physical fog. Spiritual fog can be just as unnerving.

Have you ever been caught up in a chore of some kind and just had thoughts come flooding into your mind? Maybe you’re doing the laundry or driving to work or out riding or mowing the grass or just daydreaming and something that has frustrated you or even brought you pain comes rolling in like the coastal fog or a wave to the seashore. I have – and if I’m not careful I start to mull it over, re-hash it and find that the hurt, worry or betrayal are still there. That’s when I realize I haven’t completely turned it over to the Lord.

“Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6 Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.” I Corinthians 13:5-7 ERV

Love doesn’t remember a wrong!!!!

Now that’s a hard one to swallow. But thank God he doesn’t. You notice I said He doesn’t because God is love and it’s in His nature to “not remember”. He isn’t holding our sins against us – quite the opposite! When we accept His forgiveness, He chooses to forget our past.

Aren’t you glad that you can come to Him and He won’t bring up all our failures and shortcomings? All things are new.

“And I will forgive the wrongs they have done, and I will not remember their sins.”” Hebrews 12:8 ERV

Is there someone in your life that needs you to forget their past? I know there is in mine, and I am making the determination to forget. Forgiveness allows that fog to lift and vanish. I’m so glad that I’m forgiven!

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Does God Know?

Sometimes I ask that question. Does God know? Does He know when my heart aches and when fear creeps in; does God know that I have concerns over what the future holds?

The answer: of course, He does!

After I finished writing yesterday’s blog, “Not Today”, I read about Joshua. Moses was 120 years old, and he knew he was going to die. Joshua was his God-chosen replacement and would be responsible for leading the Israelites into the land God promised them. The Israelites were not an easy people to lead.

They had a history of complaining, rebellion, and questioning God’s word. These are the people Joshua would lead; this is the group he needed to be united; these are the ones who would be the called to fight and would need to follow orders.

Did God know what He was asking of Joshua? Of course, He did. And this was the Lord’s word of encouragement:

“Be brave and strong! Don’t be afraid of the nations on the other side of the Jordan. The Lord your God will always be at your side, and he will never abandon you.

7 Then Moses called Joshua up in front of the crowd and said: Joshua, be brave and strong as you lead these people into their land. The Lord made a promise long ago to Israel’s ancestors that this land would someday belong to Israel. That time has now come, and you must divide up the land among the people. 8 The Lord will lead you into the land. He will always be with you and help you, so don’t ever be afraid of your enemies.” Deuteronomy 31:6-8 CEV

God knew! He gave Joshua an irrefutable promise! It was unconditional – the Lord will ALWAYS be at your side; He will NEVER abandon you.

Always, Never – it can’t be any more inclusive than that. I’m sure Joshua had his times of doubt, even fear, as he looked at some of the impossible situations they faced but he held on to God’s promises and went forward and the enemy was defeated.

We also have some ALWAYS and NEVER promises, they cover the small insignificant issues in our life as well as the larger ones which are life-threatening.

“I always remember that the Lord is with me. He is here, close by my side, so nothing can defeat me.” Psalm 16:8 ERV

“The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need.” Psalm 23:1 ERV

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

“Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” Hebrews 13:5 ERV

“Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.” Ephesians 6:18 ERV

Does God know? Yes. Does He care? Yes. He will always be with us, He will never leave us. That is for certain!

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Stay Anchored

A few weeks back we were at our oldest daughter, and I shared with her and Dave something I had written in my prayer journal early in 2020.

Plans for 2020/2021: Sell house, sell 5th wheel, sell Cadillac. Buy newer 5th wheel, pay off any bills, find a place to live full time.

Now here we are just a few days from the end of 2021 and each of those things has come to pass. WOW!!

However, there were times over the past two years that we waivered and even doubted that this would be possible. But we had our hope!

The longest we had ever lived in an RV was 10 weeks in the summer and we had been busy working so had very little extended time in our small place. Could we do it? Well, this last summer our 2-week camping trip turned into four months of camp hosting – yes, we could do it.

What about selling our home and most of our earthly possessions? Could we do it? The kids were great in encouraging us to “go for it” and they took many of the things we didn’t want to lose. Two huge garage sales and yes, we were ready for a minimalist lifestyle.

We spent two years researching RV’s on the internet. Which one would work best for us? We settled in on one brand but were divided between two different models. The Lord worked all that out – amazing! (but that will be a whole story all of its own)

The house sold six days after listing it and while we thought we needed to sell the Cadillac the Lord had other plans. He had us give it to a wonderful young couple – a blessing to them and to us.

But you may be wondering why I used a picture of a harbor and lighted boats and titled the blog this morning “Stay Anchored”. Glad you asked.

“God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19 This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place. 20 Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever…”Hebrews 6:18-20 CEV

When you know that the Lord has put a dream in your heart storms of doubt, fear and circumstances will come to try and shipwreck you and your dream. That’s when you drop anchor and hold fast to the promises of God!

“Do what the Lord wants, and he will give you your heart’s desire.” Psalm 37:4 CEV

We gave the Lord our dream. We asked Him to change it, if needed, to mold it and to refine it so that we could give Him all the glory. He did just that. The way He refined it is so much greater than what we dreamed possible.

Maybe you’re wondering if your dream will ever come to pass. Let God’s promises be the anchor that holds your soul secure. When waves of doubt and fear come, being anchored to the solid rock of God’s word will keep us from being capsized or blown off course.

My advice for upcoming 2022, “Stay Anchored”! God is bigger than the waves.

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The Gift of Trust

Up earlier than usual this morning. Couldn’t sleep, lots on my mind. Made my way to the sofa to read and pray…for family, friends, our nation, personal circumstances and things that had to be prayed through by the Holy Spirit.

As I read, the word “trust” repeatedly came from the pages and from my heart. Really, that’s what Christmas is all about – trusting that the gift of His Son would bring us all the salvation that the Father had planned. Trusting in His goodness and love; his mercy and grace.

Trusting that the Father is always faithful!

“ Then the Lord came down to him in a cloud, stood there with Moses, and spoke his own name. 6 That is, the Lord passed in front of Moses and said, “Yahweh, the Lord, is a kind and merciful God. He is slow to become angry. He is full of great love. He can be trusted.” Exodus 34:5-6 ERV

“So remember that the Lord your God is the only God, and you can trust him! He keeps his agreement. He shows his love and kindness to all people who love him and obey his commands. He continues to show his love and kindness through a thousand generations,” Deuteronomy 7:9 ERV

The Father knows we have a tendency to forget things and He never wants us to forget His love and faithfulness so He repeatedly reminds of it through His word.

“God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in him. 32 There is no God except the Lord. There is no Rock except our God.” II Samuel 20:31-32 ERV

What a precious gift we have been given! We have the Father’s promise and He is completely worthy of trust – there is no God except our Lord.

“So come near to God with a sincere heart, full of confidence because of our faith in Christ. 23 We must hold on to the hope we have, never hesitating to tell people about it. We can trust God to do what he promised.” Hebrews 10:22b-23 ERV

This morning I needed to be reminded to trust! I found myself wavering, on the verge of worry and that’s when I heard in my heart “I trust You”. May you need to hear those same words today – “I trust You”. The Lord is faithful; His word never fails, He always keeps His promises.

A few days back I told you about my favorite Christmas CD, The Gift, by Kenny Rogers. I want to share just a few lyrics from one of the songs on that album.

“God said, Mary pure and holy
With this baby, I trust you
She said, surely I’m not worthy
And it scares me, but I trust you.

Underneith a shining star
In a manger stall
Mary held the gift of love
God gave to us all.

Precious baby pure and holy
I’m not worthy, but I trust you

Precious baby pure and holy
Will you save me, I trust you
Son of Mary, I trust you…*

Receive this wonderful gift that the Father has given us – open your heart and say “Son of Mary, Son of God, I trust you”!

*I Trust You written by Skip Ewing and Don Schlitz

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