Category: I Corinthians

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God’s Increase

Yesterday I had a very interesting experience when I went to get my nails done. My manicurist is a sweet lady named Maria. I’ve been going to her for about a year and a half. I don’t go as often as I would like but I always enjoy it so much when I do.

We learn more about each other each time I go. Yesterday she asked me what made Dave and I move to the Rio Rico area. I explained that I was born and raised in Arizona but we had been gone to Washington, Idaho and Montana for over twenty years and when it came time to move back we were diligent in our search.

We didn’t want to come back to the big city of Phoenix, that wasn’t us. Nor did we want to move back to my hometown of Yuma, too hot. We looked around Tucson and couldn’t find anything that really suited us or our budget so we kept broadening our search while keeping Tucson as our hub city. Most of our searching was on-line and we found some nice places in Rio Rico so came to explore what was here.

I went on to tell her that we had been to this area years ago. We would come down and hold Bible Studies for the ranchers and their friends who lived in Tubac. We also came down and held a three-day campmeeting that the local residents were invited to. We had music, food, and Bible teaching for those three days. It was a great time!

We loved this area and so we were happy to be back and make it our home.

When I finished telling her our story of coming to Rio Rico she looked at me and smiled. She said when she and her brothers were younger they were invited to a Bible Study in the home of their bus driver. She said they had good music and teaching. She wanted to know if that was us. What a small world! No, it wasn’t us but it was one of the families that came to our campmeeting and Bible Studies, in fact, Dave, the kids and I had stayed in their home once while we were down here ministering.

We never know how the Lord will use us and how he will touch others through the things we do. Here I was talking to someone who had been touched by the cowboy ministry thirty-five years ago. Isn’t God good?!

Her story reminded me of something the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth. They were divided in their loyalties between Paul and another man who was preaching Christ, Apollos.

“ Some of you say that you follow me, and others claim to follow Apollos. Isn’t that how ordinary people behave? 5 Apollos and I are merely servants who helped you to have faith. It was the Lord who made it all happen. 6 I planted the seeds, Apollos watered them, but God made them sprout and grow. 7 What matters isn’t those who planted or watered, but God who made the plants grow.” I Corinthians 3:4-7 CEV

It was such a blessing for me to know that the seeds we planted in this area and that those Bible Studies watered, caused growth in the life of some of those in this community.

We may never know the impact that our words and actions have to bring someone to the Lord. However, we should always keep sowing the seed, even if it’s while getting our nails done.

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Where To Now?

I’m sure that must have been a question on the mind of the disciples as they talked among themselves after the crucifixion. Where do we go from here?

I ask that of myself. Where am I going? What do I depend on to guide me through life? Jesus has the answer for me and for you also. He said “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” John 14:6 ERV

The whole purpose of His ministry was to bring us to place where we would put our faith in God’s love and be brought into relationship with Him.

“But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.

9 We have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger. 10 I mean that while we were God’s enemies, he made friends with us through his Son’s death. And the fact that we are now God’s friends makes it even more certain that he will save us through his Son’s life.” Romans 5:8-10 ERV

There are four verses that are the basis for my daily walk. In some way or another, each day I remind myself of my foundation in the Scripture. These verses guide my life and my relationship with the Lord.

“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

“…Anything that is not done in faith is sin.” Romans 14:23b NLV

“When someone belongs to Christ Jesus, it is not important if they are circumcised or not. The important thing is faith—the kind of faith that works through love.” Galatians 5:6 ERV

“Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. 6 Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 7 Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. 8 Love never fails!” I Corinthians 13:4-8 CEV

So here’s the progression of thought.

  1. I want to please God the Father so I must have faith and believe that He wants relationship with me.
  2. I recognize whatever I do that is not done in faith is sin.
  3. In order for faith to truly work it must have love as its foundation.
  4. Finally to have effective faith I must be walking in love and love is kind, patient, unselfish, not rude or jealous, boastful or proud. Love assumes the best and is supportive, loyal and trusting – it never fails.

My decisions, actions and reactions need to be based on knowing God’s amazing love for me; His character is love and He shares that with me so that I can walk in faith and please Him. My faith is never in my own works or abilities but always in His! Then and only then is my day truly successful!

This Easter morning is a good time to examine and evaluate our path in life. Let’s walk in faith and please the Father today!

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Beauty, Joy, Praise

This morning I was thinking about the disciples. What a sad and dark day this must have been for them. For three years they had been following Jesus. They gave up friends, family and business attachments to be one of his disciples. And now He was gone.

Perhaps you are experiencing a similar loss. Possibly you’ve just received some devastating news. You need comfort and there seems to be none. I want to bring you good news today. News that will beautify, news of joy, a reason to praise.

Where did the disciples go once Jesus was in the tomb? Did they all stay together? I’m sure they feared for their lives. If the Jewish leaders had killed their Teacher, would they be coming for the disciples next? The Scripture is silent on these issues and only leaves room for speculation. But we can assume that they were disheartened, misplaced and full of sorrow.

They loved Jesus and now He was gone!

As I put myself in their shoes a verse came to mind.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has chosen me to bring good news to poor people. He has sent me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent me to tell those who are being held and those in prison that they can go free. 2 He has sent me to tell about the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day our God will bring punishment. He has sent me to comfort all who are filled with sorrow. 3 To those who have sorrow in Zion 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. Then they will be called oaks that are right with God, planted by the Lord, that He may be honored.” Isaiah 61:1-3 NLV

The disciples had heard Jesus preach these very words. It was a part of every message that He gave to people everywhere He went. This was His mission; the reason He came from heaven. And now when the disciples needed to hear it most where was Jesus? He was in a tomb.

But…

He didn’t stay there! He rose victorious. He defeated death and destroyed Satan’s power.

“O death, where is your power? O death, where are your pains? 56 The pain in death is sin. Sin has power over those under the Law. 57 But God is the One Who gives us power over sin through Jesus Christ our Lord. We give thanks to Him for this.” I Corinthians 15:55-57 NLV

“Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt—a debt that listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross. 15 He defeated the rulers and powers of the spiritual world. With the cross he won the victory over them and led them away, as defeated and powerless prisoners for the whole world to see.” Colossians 2:14-15 ERV

However, on the day before the resurrection the disciples were at their lowest point. Maybe that’s where you are today. Has life left you with sorrow? Are you mourning a loss of some kind? Have your dreams been shattered and all hope seems to be gone?

I wanted to bring beauty to the blog this morning. That’s why I chose this picture of Calla Lilies. They are a sign of resurrection, purity, holiness and new life. They can be a reminder of God’s amazing love and His promise of restoration.

If your heart is heavy, pour out your disappointment and heartache to the Father in prayer. He promises to take the all you give Him and replace it with beauty, joy and a reason to praise. His resurrection promises that!

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Through the Looking Glass

Do you remember getting to use a magnifying glass when you were a kid? My grandmother had one on her desk and I remember her showing me how to use it when I was in first or second grade. It was amazing the detail you could see…

There was a time I used a magnifying glass as a part of everyday life. I had a job once and it was my responsibility to examine an item for flaws or essential markings. I would go over the piece with my naked eye and then with a glass and list everything I saw on it. Very often I would find maker’s marks that no one else had seen. The people I worked with called it “Kristi Vision”.

Just a few days ago Dave and I were looking at something and he asked for the magnifying glass. Out it came and our examination of intricate details was in full view. This kind of magnification is a good thing. However there are some Negative Nellies out there who like to examine and magnify their problems. It’s as if they want to see only the worst and their tunnel vision excludes the best. That can be disastrous.

The last two days I have focused on, magnified, Psalm 40 and I would like us to finish up there today.

“I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart; I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation. I have not hid away Your steadfast love and Your truth from the great assembly. 11 Withhold not Your tender mercy from me, O Lord; let Your loving-kindness and Your truth continually preserve me! 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about; my iniquities have taken such hold on me that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me and forsaken me. 13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me!
14 Let them be put to shame and confounded together who seek and require my life to destroy it; let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor who wish me evil and delight in my hurt! 15 Let them be desolate by reason of their shame who say to me, Aha, aha! 16 Let all those that seek and require You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified! 17 [As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry!” Psalm 40:10-17 AMP

You’ll notice King David pointed out the problems he was having and there were quite a few but in verse sixteen he changed his focus. Let the Lord be magnified. It is always appropriate to magnify the Lord and recognize that He truly is our Help and Deliverer! He centered in on all that the Lord had done for Him in the past. He stopped looking at his circumstances and looked at his deliverance.

God has not changed – He remains the same yesterday, today and forever. His word has promised to bring us out with victory when our enemies attack – “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” I John 4:4 NKJV

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 NJKV

When we place Him in priority, when we focus on God’s word, His love and provision above our circumstances, we magnify the Lord. In looking up we find the answer to life’s most difficult problems and there we find our deliverance and our help!

Get out your glass, clean the lens and focus on the goodness of our God. Let the Lord be magnified!

Look up today. Magnify the Lord!

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What Did You Say?

I get a kick out of God’s sense of humor. I find the Bible has many humorous stories that are often overlooked. Stories that hold important teachings for us.

“Christian brothers, think who you were when the Lord called you. Not many of you were wise or powerful or born into the family of leaders of a country. 27 But God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise. He has chosen what the world calls weak to shame what is strong. 28 God has chosen what is weak and foolish of the world, what is hated and not known, to destroy the things the world trusts in. 29 In that way, no man can be proud as he stands before God. 30 God Himself made the way so you can have new life through Christ Jesus. God gave us Christ to be our wisdom. Christ made us right with God and set us apart for God and made us holy. Christ bought us with His blood and made us free from our sins.” I Corinthians 1:26-30 ERV

The Apostle Paul tells us that God uses the things that are thought to be foolish and weak to keep men from putting too much trust in their own efforts. It is God’s provision that we should be trusting in and not ours.

This morning I would like to tell you a story that seems foolish.

The children of Israel were in the desert and had just defeated a king who had attacked them, the king of Og. Well, there was another king who heard of that defeat and he feared that the same thing would happen to him and his armies. So he called for a man named Balaam to come and place a curse on Israel. King Balak offered him great amounts of money to do this.

Balaam took time to consult with the Lord and God told him not to go with Balak’s men and that he was not to curse the Israelites. Balaam refused to do what the king wanted. The king sent his men a second time offering Balaam even more money. Once again Balaam consulted with the Lord. God hadn’t changed His mind. God told him, only do what I tell you.

“Balaam answered, “Even if Balak offered me a palace full of silver or gold, I wouldn’t do anything to disobey the Lord my God. 19 You are welcome to spend the night here, just as the others did. I will find out if the Lord has something else to say about this.”

20 That night, God said, “Balaam, I’ll let you go to Moab with Balak’s messengers, but do only what I say.” Numbers 22:18-20 CEV

So the next morning they started out on their journey to Balak. On their way, an angel came to stop Balaam from traveling any further. The donkey saw the angel and rode off in a ditch. Balaam whipped the donkey and got him back on the rode. Again the angel stood in the road and the donkey smashed Balaam’s foot against a wall as he tried to get around the angel. Finally, the third time, the donkey just laid down and wouldn’t move any further because the angel was standing in the way.

Balaam was so angry that he was ready to kill the donkey and then this happened.

“So it just lay down. Balaam lost his temper, then picked up a stick and smacked the donkey.28 When that happened, the Lord told the donkey to speak, and it asked Balaam, “What have I done to you that made you beat me three times?”

29 “You made me look stupid!” Balaam answered. “If I had a sword, I’d kill you here and now!”30 “But you’re my owner,” replied the donkey, “and you’ve ridden me many times. Have I ever done anything like this before?”

“No,” Balaam admitted. 31 Just then, the Lord let Balaam see the angel standing in the road, holding a sword, and Balaam bowed down.” Numbers 22:27-31 CEV

The foolish things of the world! How much more foolish can you get than that? A talking donkey. I once heard a preacher say, “If God uses you to do something important, don’t get a big head about it. He once used a donkey.” Very true.

When God speaks to our hearts we need to listen. The message may come in our quiet time of prayer and Bible reading. It may come from a message we hear being preached. God may use a trusted friend or the words of a stranger to speak to our hearts. He could use our mate, children or grandchildren. He might even use a donkey.

The important thing is that we listen and then we obey.

Has the Lord been speaking to your heart? Have you discounted the message because you didn’t approve of the messenger? God is always willing to give us instruction, we need to be willing to listen.

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Prayer Priorities

Rising early is what I do – most days. This morning for no reason at all I was awake at 1:30 am and then I lay in bed trying to go back to sleep – that just seemed a little too early to get up. But at 3, I was up – put the dog out, the coffee on, and sat down in my daughter’s rocking chair, for what?

To pray!! To pray for each of you who are reading this. Praying is one of my favorite things to do.

After praising and thanking God for His goodness and His love, I prayed for my family and those I know so well; I prayed for our nation, our leaders and our country. Then I prayed as Paul said in I Corinthians 14:15 “I will pray with my spirit and I will pray with my understanding also”. As I prayed with my spirit, I asked the Lord to minister through me to each person who reads this this morning.

First I prayed, ” Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. ” III John 2, that you prosper spirit, soul and body.

Then I prayed that “God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.” Psalm 91:3-4.

I prayed for you from Proverbs 25:26 “Good people who don’t stand strong against evil are like springs that have been polluted or pools that have turned dirty and muddy.” I pray that you will stand strong and be an influence of godliness in this world that so desperately needs God’s love.

And lastly, also from Proverbs 25:21-22, I prayed “If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. If they are thirsty, give them some water. 22 This will make them feel the burning pain of shame, and the LORD will reward you for being good to them.”

Your enemies need compassion. This is one of the only ways they are going to see the love of God in their lives. Jesus prayed for those who persecuted him and on the cross He asked the Father to forgive them. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, as he was being stoned to death, prayed that the Father not hold these things to the charge of those who were casting the rocks. Today you may have the opportunity to do something kind for those who have tried to destroy you, ask the Lord to show you how. He loves them too.

This morning I have prayed all of this for you. As you read this, I hope you pray these things for yourself and for others. We can join our prayers together! The great thing about praying scripture verses is that we know we are praying God’s will because His word is His will. He promises that His word will not be void of power or purpose but will accomplish what it was sent to do.

“In the same way, my words leave my mouth, and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do.” Isaiah 55:11

I feel privileged to pray for you and I thank the Father for blending our hearts together by His Spirit.

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Love Is

Love is…

and we’ve all heard all the things that love is! But love is a determination of will; it isn’t a tingling feeling that just overcomes you and leaves you breathless and titillated. It is a lifestyle – one that will stand the test of time when the feelings are no where to be found. One that will overcome hurt and still not be selfish.

That’s God’s kind of love. He doesn’t think evil of us when we fail and He doesn’t keep count of the things we’ve done wrong but He looks to see what we’re doing right and always, always thinks the best of us.

One day, I heard the Lord speak so loudly in my heart that I thought others could probably hear it too. I was correcting one of the kids and in my frustration found myself bringing up a past infraction; one that they had already been disciplined for. As I did, I felt the Lord say – “I don’t bring up your past. I forget all your sins and shortcomings and I only think the best of you. Don’t bring that up again because they are my kids too.” With that I kindly answered “Yes Sir.” and then I had to apologize to my child. I went on to correct what they had done wrong without making them relive their past.

“This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience—it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance. 5-6 Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails. 7-8a Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.” I Corinthians 13:4-8

Thank you Father for Your Amazing love. Thank you for forgetting our past.

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Good Bones

I like to watch those home improvement shows on television. Some of those houses are in bad shape. You would think the best thing would be to tear down the entire structure and start over. But that’s when you hear the host of the program say “this house has really good bones”.

Good bones.

Years ago I became aware of a verse in the Bible about bones. Before I give you that verses I want to share this experience I had last May while we were at the Indy 500. Each morning I would get up and take my coffee and my Bible then go outside the RV to have my morning quiet time. Dave and Koy were sleeping inside and I didn’t want to disturb them.

I loved it. Sitting in the camp chair I could enjoy my coffee, read my Bible, pray and listen to the cars going through their morning tune-ups over at the track. Not really quiet but it was my time with the Lord. One morning I left my Bible on the outside table while we went about our day. That afternoon we had a brief rain shower. Things under the awning got damp but not really wet. Koy wanted to know if he should move my Bible inside but I said it was ok.

Later that day my Bible began to expand, literally! The pages got fatter as they began to absorb the moisture. When it dried out it never did shrink back to the previous size. Now, when I pick it up to read if I squeeze it together it crackles. It is daily reminder to me of this verse.

“The Lord is far from the sinful, but He hears the prayer of those who are right with Him. 30 The light of the eyes makes the heart glad. Good news puts fat on the bones. 31 He whose ear listens to careful words spoken will live among the wise.” Proverbs 15:29-31 NLV

Good bones, fat bones.

Good news puts fat on the bones. Another version of this verse says “a good report maketh the bones fat”. Each day when I pick up my Bible and open it to where I’m going to read I say “Thank you Father. The Good News in this book is making my bones fat. Just like the pages of this Bible got fat, when I read the words of this book they are making me strong, healthy and giving me wisdom.”

I truly believe that. God’s word is our good news. In fact, it’s the best news ever. Where else will we find unconditional love, unending mercy and infinite grace? Where else we find direction, peace and complete forgiveness? There is nowhere on the face of the earth, there are no other books that contain life-giving words and there are no computer programs or data updates that bring us into a loving relationship with Almighty God.

“My soul will be happy in the Lord. It will be full of joy because He saves. 10 All my bones will say, “Lord, who is like You? Who saves the weak from those too strong for them? Who saves the poor from those who would rob them?'” Psalm 39:9-10 NLV

“Because of Your Word and Your own heart, You have done all these great things to let Your servant know. 22 For this reason You are great, O Lord God. There is none like You. And there is no God but You, by all that we have heard with our ears.” II Samuel 7:21-22 NLV

It’s time for self-assessment. If I compare myself to a fixer-upper I must admit that I have some rehab work that needs to be done. There’s some selfishness that needs to be scrubbed off the walls and some spots of pride that have stained and discolored the countertops. There are other issues that the Lord needs to replace, I’m still under construction. But…I have good bones!

The framework, the support beams, have been furnished by the Holy Spirit and they are strong. I am His dwelling place.

“Do you not know that your body is a house of God where the Holy Spirit lives? God gave you His Holy Spirit. Now you belong to God. You do not belong to yourselves. 20 God bought you with a great price. So honor God with your body. You belong to Him.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 NLV

My foundation is solid, it’s built on the rock of God’s word. God has placed His light in my soul and He causes me to shine with His glory.

“It was God Who said, “The light will shine in darkness.” He is the One Who made His light shine in our hearts. This brings us the light of knowing God’s shining-greatness which is seen in Christ’s face.” II Corinthians 4:6 NLV

The good report, God’s Good News, is putting fat on my bones. Yes, I’m going through some renovation but I’m so glad to be the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. I have strong bones!

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Responding to “If”

Have you ever gotten trapped in the maze of “what if”? At one point or another I think we all have. There are all sorts of “if” questions; some are personal, others are intellectual or career oriented and others are more philosophical.

What if: I were taller, smarter, my nose were smaller…What if: I had continued with college, become a doctor instead of a plumber…What if: there is life in outer space. And then there are the what if’s that are related to Scripture.

In yesterday’s blog, we saw how Satan used one of those what if’s in the garden with Adam and Eve. He introduced an element of doubt into Eve’s thinking. Did God really say? What if He doesn’t want you to be as smart as He is?

“4 But the snake said to the woman, “You will not die. 5 God knows that if you eat the fruit from that tree you will learn about good and evil, and then you will be like God!” Genesis 3:4-5 ERV

When we begin to study the Bible and see what God says to us Satan will try to use the same tactic on us.

What if: God isn’t real, He’s just a myth, His Word isn’t true, there is no heaven or hell, you don’t need faith. All of these are doubting thoughts that I have had at one point or another.

When these thoughts occur the first thing we should do is realize we aren’t the only ones having them. Christians who came before us and millions who come after us will all be plagued with thoughts of doubt.

How do we deal with doubt? I’m glad you asked. As always, Jesus is our perfect example.

“ Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to a desert. There He was tempted by the devil. 2 Jesus went without food for forty days and forty nights. After that He was hungry. 3 The devil came tempting Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to be made into bread.” 4 But Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man is not to live on bread only. Man is to live by every word that God speaks.’”

5 Then the devil took Jesus up to Jerusalem, the holy city. He had Jesus stand on the highest part of the house of God. 6 The devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. It is written, ‘He has told His angels to look after You. In their hands they will hold You up. Then Your foot will not hit against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to the devil, “It is written also, ‘You must not tempt the Lord your God.’”

8 Again the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain. He had Jesus look at all the nations of the world to see how great they were. 9 He said to Jesus, “I will give You all these nations if You will get down at my feet and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to the devil, “Get away, Satan. It is written, ‘You must worship the Lord your God. You must obey Him only.’” 11 Then the devil went away from Jesus. Angels came and cared for Him.” Matthew 4:1-11 NLV

There are three important “if” issues in these verses. Satan questions the deity of Christ, “If you are the Son of God”. Satan is a crafty enemy, one we are incapable of defeating on our own. He came to Jesus when He was at one of his weakest moments. Jesus had been fasting for forty days and now He had begun to hunger.

The important thing to see is that Jesus didn’t react rashly in His weakness, instead He let God’s word answer for Him. The power to resist temptation came from God’s word. We will overcome our temptations the same way.

“So anyone who thinks they are standing strong should be careful that they don’t fall. 13 The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.” I Corinthians 10:12-13 ERV

In the second temptation the devil quoted Scripture to give his argument validity. Jesus didn’t take the bait; he didn’t need to prove who He was. He left that up to God, the Father. And He countered with Scripture.

Satan had been cast from heaven because he wanted to be greater than God. He coveted a position of honor. He wanted God’s Son to bow down at his feet.

” 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will go up to heaven. I will raise my throne above the stars of God. And I will sit on the mount of meeting in the far north. 14 I will go much higher than the clouds. I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 But you will be brought down to the place of the dead, to the bottom of the grave.” Isaiah 14:13-15 NLV

One more time Jesus used God’s word as a weapon and landed blows of defeat on His enemy. This time it was too much for the devil and he fled. This is what we need to do each and every time temptation comes.

” 4 We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. 5 We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:4-5 NLV

And here is what God gives us to fight with.

” 11 Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks…13 That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.

14 So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. 15 On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. 16 And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. 17 Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. 18 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 6:11-18 ERV

Our sword in this battle is the word of God. It is sharp enough to cut all the “what if’s” out of our lives. We will be able to stand strong and never give up when we are standing on God’s word!

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With Is Better

For the last several days we have been with our son, Koy, and his girlfriend, Kym, in California. We knew that we wouldn’t be together at Christmas so he flew us out a couple weeks early.

We’ve had a great time of  being with each other. Phone calls and video chats are good but actually being with the ones we love is the best. 

God enjoyed being with Adam and Eve each day in the garden; they would walk and talk – it was a special relationship. But when Adam sinned  that fellowship was broken. However, God had a plan for restoring what had been lost. It was important to Him to be with us.

“Joseph was a good man[a and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding.

20 While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. 21 Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:19-23 CEV

God wanted a way to be with us so He sent His Son.  One of the things that means the most to us as parents is knowing that our kids want to be with us. God is no different. 

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world.[a The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.” II Corinthians 5:17-19 CEV

It’s a whole new world when we have life with Christ. We aren’t alone. God is with us – in the car going to work; in the kitchen baking cookies; helping our kids with their homework; Christmas shopping; sitting beside the bed of a sick friend; sitting alone looking at the checkbook and the bills that need to be paid.

God with us – His purpose in coming was to be “with us”. In fact, Hebrews 13:5 tells us that He will NEVER leave us or abandon us.

We are also told that He promises to provide all our needs, heals all our diseases and forgives all our sins. Psalm 103 

I didn’t always realize that God wanted this type of relationship with me  but I can say that when I realized  “God is with us” it has certainly changed the outcome of my life for the better – the best.

When we focus on all “we” have to do and how it’s all up to us, we become self absorbed. We make a very small package. When we realize, truly realize, that God’s purpose is to “Be with us”, when we unwrap the present of His presence in our daily lives, our world changes dramatically.

” What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else?” Romans 8:31-32 CEV

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

The Christmas carol today is one that was written in the 12th century. 

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

I know the Old English is a bit hard to understand but the basic message is one of God’s desire to be with mankind, who He created, and  bring them deliverance in each situation.  Just remember, He’s a loving Father who wants nothing more than to be involved in His children’s lives.

God wants to spend time with us; with is better!

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