Category: John

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Wonder of Wonders

This morning, I just needed to start my day by telling our heavenly Father and Jesus just how wonderful they are. And no, I’m not leaving Holy Spirit out – He is the One who prompts us to bring glory to God.

Years ago, many years ago, we used to sing a worship chorus.

“Jesus, what a wonder You are.
You are so gentle
So pure and so kind
You shine like the bright morning star
Jesus, what a wonder You are.”

Gentle, pure and kind. Oh, do we need that in this day and age.

When John the Baptist was born, his father prophesied these words over him. He knew his son would be the one to announce the coming Messiah.

“You, my son, will be called the prophet of God Most High. You will go ahead of the Lord
to get everything ready for him. 77 You will tell his people that they can be saved when their sins are forgiven. 78 God’s love and kindness will shine upon us like the sun that rises in the sky. 79 On us who live in the dark shadow of death this light will shine to guide us into a life of peace.” Luke 1:76-79 CEV

God’s intentions toward us have always been to show us unconditional love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.

“ Because of all that the Son is, we have been given one blessing after another. 17 The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us undeserved kindness and truth. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.” John 1:16-18 CEV

Wonder of Wonders that God would love us so much and create a way, THE WAY, for us to be in relationship with Him. It is because of His kindness and love. And when Jesus left this earth, Holy Spirit came to guide us, comfort us, and defend us.

  “The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn’t speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen. 14 The Spirit will bring glory to me by taking my message and telling it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I have said that the Spirit takes my message and tells it to you.” John 16:13-15

Pure, gentle, kind .

If some mornings you get up and are bombarded with the opposite and feel “what’s the use”, I can guarantee that your day will take a turn for the better by taking time to focus on the kindness and goodness of God.

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Crazy Stuff

This morning when I opened my computer, I had a notice from “Meta”. I think it was spam and reported it but just in case it isn’t, I would like to ask if you enjoy reading this blog every morning and are blessed by it that you go directly to the website www.arizonakristi.com and go to the blog page and subscribe for the daily emails.

I will continue posting on Facebook for as long as I can but I will not change the message of God’s goodness, grace, forgiveness and unconditional love. He forgives, He loves and He saves! This is the good news the world needs to hear.

“Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19-20 CEV

This is my world. You are my world. God has called me to teach and this is the platform I have. I will use it as long as I am able and without apology.

“ How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? 15  And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news. 16  Yet not everyone has believed the message. For example, the prophet Isaiah asked, “Lord, has anyone believed what we said?”

17 No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ.” Romans 10:14-17 CEV

My goal each day is to build faith in the life of every reader.

God’s goodness cannot be stopped and it cannot be contained. He offers it freely to all, to everyone who will believe.

“ God doesn’t take back the gifts he has given or disown the people he has chosen.” Romans 11:29 CEV

“They replied, ‘Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!’ This is also true for everyone who lives in your home.” Acts 16:31 CEV

“ no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. 13  All who call out to the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13 CEV

One of the most famous verses in the Bible is John 3:16

“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

Our heavenly Father is an all inclusive God. He always has been, and always will be. Whoever, anyone, who comes to Him and believes in Him and what He provides for us will be saved.

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

In this crazy world the love of God must continue to be preached. I will “go to the world” and you are the world I have been sent to.

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Stand Guard

This is the end of our walk through Ephesians. I hope you have found some wonderful nuggets of instruction and encouragement.

“This is the last thing I want to say: Be strong with the Lord’s strength. 11 Put on the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will not fall into the traps of the devil. 12 Our fight is not with people. It is against the leaders and the powers and the spirits of darkness in this world. It is against the demon world that works in the heavens. 13 Because of this, put on all the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will be able to stand in that sinful day. When it is all over, you will still be standing. ” Ephesians 6:10-13 NLV

The first thing that came to mind when I read this this morning was young David as he was about to face Goliath. David knew that he wasn’t going out to fight in his own strength. He knew God was with him. King Saul tried to get David to wear his royal armor – it didn’t fit, David chose to use what God had given him. A sling, some rocks and the supernatural presence of God.

Paul tells us that our fight isn’t with people. It’s a fight of a spiritual nature so it requires a specialized armor, the armor of God. The promise we have is that if we stand, stand strong, we will still be standing victoriously when the battle is over.

“14 So stand up and do not be moved. Wear a belt of truth around your body. Wear a piece of iron over your chest which is being right with God. 15 Wear shoes on your feet which are the Good News of peace. 16 Most important of all, you need a covering of faith in front of you. This is to put out the fire-arrows of the devil. 17 The covering for your head is that you have been saved from the punishment of sin. Take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:14-17

Every piece of our armor comes from God’s word.

a belt of truth – Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life”. John 14:6

a breastplate of righteousness – we know that “He became sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” II Corinthians 5:21

our shoes are the gospel of peace – “we have peace with God” Romans 5:1

our shield is faith – “faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God” Romans 10:17

a helmet of salvation – “by grace are we saved through faith” Ephesians 2:8

our sword – is the word of God Ephesians 6:18

Without God’s word we have no armor; without our armor we cannot stand.

“You must pray at all times as the Holy Spirit leads you to pray. Pray for the things that are needed. You must watch and keep on praying. Remember to pray for all Christians. ” Ephesians 6:19 NLV

Now, more than ever it’s important for us to pray. Pray for ourselves, our families, for each other. Our victory comes by faith.

“Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory.” I John 5:4 CEV

So let’s do as Paul has instructed us to do. Stand Guard and Keep On Standing!

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Help to Grow

One thing I know about our heavenly Father is He never leaves us alone. He doesn’t abandon us in our times of trouble or do we ever hear him say, “Go figure it out on your own”.

No, quite the contrary. He tells us to come to Him boldly when we need help and He’ll be there. He tells us to call and He will answer. We are to seek and we will find; ask and we will receive; knock and the door will be opened.

Jesus told his disciples that when He left the Father would send us a helper, the Holy Spirit would come to comfort, instruct and advocate for us. His primary purpose is to come along side of us and give us aid in our walk with Christ.

We have also been given spiritual leaders to help us grow. We learn from their teachings and instructions. Paul, the apostle, was doing just that when he wrote these words to the Christians in Ephesus.

“Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, 12 so his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. 13 This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.

14 We must stop acting like children. We must not let deceitful people trick us by their false teachings, which are like winds that toss us around from place to place. 15 Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head 16  of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love.” Ephesians 4:11-16 CEV

The teaching we receive should help us to grow to be more like Christ as we mature. Godly teaching is based on God’s word and not men’s opinions. Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His day. Paul warns us not to be tricked by false teaching.

The Holy Spirit was sent to guide us into all truth. He’s there with that still small inner voice to steer us away from wrong teaching.

“The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn’t speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen.” John 16:13 CEV

As I said, the Father never leaves us alone or abandons us. He is here to help us grow!

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Unity & Peace

I want to start with a little history lesson this morning. When God made a blood covenant with Abraham, He set Abraham and his descendants apart as a chosen people. A people of promise. Before Jacob, Abraham’s grandson moved his descendants to Egypt during the famine, his name had been changed to Israel. The Egyptians then called these people Israelites.

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and God gave them a new set of laws and a new way and place of worship, first in a portable tabernacle and then in a Temple that King Solomon built. Because they lived in the area of Judah, the land God promised them, they were also known as Jews, people from Judah.

Throughout their history peoples were distinguished as Jews and Gentiles, anyone who was not a Jew or Israelite was a Gentile. There was a division. The Jews were a people of promise; God had given them His law and His blessings. The sign of their covenant was circumcision. There was a division.

This morning, I want to show you how Christ changed all of the that. He brought unity and hope.

“Don’t forget that you are Gentiles. In fact, you used to be called “uncircumcised” by those who take pride in being circumcised. 12 At that time you did not know about Christ. You were foreigners to the people of Israel, and you had no part in the promises God had made to them. You were living in this world without hope and without God, 13 and you were far from God. But Christ offered his life’s blood as a sacrifice and brought you near God.

14 Christ has made peace between Jews and Gentiles, and he has united us by breaking down the wall of hatred that separated us. Christ gave his own body 15  to destroy the Law of Moses with all its rules and commands. He even brought Jews and Gentiles together as though we were only one person, when he united us in peace. 16  On the cross Christ did away with our hatred for each other. He also made peace between us and God by uniting Jews and Gentiles in one body. 17  Christ came and preached peace to you Gentiles, who were far from God, and peace to us Jews, who were near God. 18 And because of Christ, all of us can come to the Father by the same Spirit.

19 You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God. 20 You are like a building with the apostles and prophets as the foundation and with Christ as the most important stone. 21 Christ is the one who holds the building together and makes it grow into a holy temple for the Lord.” Ephesians 2:11-21 CEV

In Christ, Jew and Gentile alike, have been united in one body and we are called the body of Christ. He is our head and our firm foundation. From Him we receive His command.

“But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 CEV

Since we now have peace with God let’s also walk in His love.

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Free Indeed

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

” So if the Son makes you free, you are really free.” John 8:36 ERV

On this day of independence, it’s important to remember that we are truly free through our relationship with Jesus Christ. We are no longer held captive or enslaved by sin and/or the devil because the Son, Jesus Christ, broke the chains of bondage and set us free! Hallelujah!

Our nation was founded by men and women who were seeking a better way of life; an opportunity to achieve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They trusted in God’s leading and direction in the founding of this nation.

We are blessed with a great heritage of those who have fought for our freedom and with founding fathers who established our nation using the Bible as the base and foundation of our governing laws.

Many things have changed since the founding of our nation but one thing that has not changed is God is still and forever will be, Lord God Almighty who rules and reigns in mercy, truth and justice!

We can trust Him and Him alone! He is our hope, He is our peace, He is our joy, the Everlasting God!

“Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

Keep your hearts free from fear. When God reigns He brings peace and with Him is ultimate victory.

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Who Is God?

I’ve enjoyed having the last couple of mornings to sleep in and days to do nothing but relax and soak in the beauty around me. But I’ve missed sharing with each of you.

We all have times when we need to pull aside and let our heavenly Father speak in His reassuring words, reminding us who He is and what He desires to do for us and in us.

I found you a peaceful place to sit and listen to His voice. Join me at the creek side and hear the Lord speak.

To Abraham: Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1

“I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” Genesis 17:1

To Moses: “And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.” Exodus 3:14

To Israel in the wilderness: “for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26

“I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Exodus 20:2

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

To those who followed Him, Jesus said: “I am that bread of life.” John 6:48

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, ” John 10:9

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

To the church: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

God the Father isn’t the I was; He is the great I AM!

We can spend time looking at the problems in our world, our society, our lives but I encourage you to look at the answer and not the problem. Look to the Father, He is the answer; He knows the way to go!

“Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. 2 Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. 3 So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream—
a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful.” Psalm 1:1-3 ERV

Who is God? He’s our loving Father and He is all we need!

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Life Giving Water

The last two nights we have had a couple of short, hard rains. I’m talking blowing wind, big drops, some thunder and lightning, and it’s over. This desert needs the water.

It seems a little early for the monsoons to start but I’m not complaining. Grateful, yes grateful, for the water. We will soon begin to see signs of new life.

When we first returned to Arizona the house we purchased had been neglected. The front and back yards were a mess; a couple of mesquite trees, a few barrel cactus and two ocotillos. The rest was dry wild grass.

It was those two ocotillo that the Lord used to teach me a spiritual lesson.

They looked dead but we decided to start giving them a little bit of water and see what would happen. Each morning, we would run a slow drip of water on them and by the end of that first week they had little leaves beginning to pop out on what had been dry branches. In a few weeks they were covered in new life and bright orange blossoms were beginning to appear on the end of the branches.

We all go through times when our hearts and emotions are dry. We feel brittle and almost dead inside. What we need is the living water that God’s word supplies and just like those ocotillo we will begin to show signs of new life.

“I will pour water for thirsty people, and streams will flow through the desert. I will pour my Spirit on your children, and I will bless your family. 4 They will sprout like grass in the spring and grow like trees by streams of water.” Isaiah 44:3 ERV

I’m so glad that I didn’t prune the Ocotillo thinking it was dead. My pruning would have killed it for sure.

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. 6 If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 Stay joined together with me, and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. 8 Show that you are my followers by producing much fruit. This will bring honor to my Father.” John 15:5-8 ERV

I’m very glad that I’m not responsible for pruning my life or the life of other believers but it’s the Father, the master gardener, who is responsible to prune our lives. He knows when something is dead and He knows exactly where to cut without causing damage. He also knows when all we need is water, the water of His word, and we will flourish once again.

Are you in a dry place?

Let God’s word water your roots and you’ll begin to flourish once again. He is our source of life-giving water.

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Greener Pastures

Living in rural areas it has been my privilege to see bands of sheep grazing in the fields. Sheep have healthy appetites and so they must be moved to new pastures on a regular basis.

“2-3 But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out. 4 When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice…9 I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully. 11  I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.” John 10:2-11 CEV

It’s a foolish sheep that would want to stay in a pasture once the grass has been grazed off. It’s a good shepherd who knows when it’s time to move to greener pastures. We had a good shepherd to follow.

“You are my hiding place!  You protect me from trouble, and you put songs in my heart because you have saved me. 8 You said to me, ‘I will point out the road that you should follow. I will be your teacher and watch over you.‘” Psalm 32:7-8 CEV

When we follow Christ, we can trust His leading. This morning, my Bible reading took me to the book of Daniel where I saw something in a new light.

“2  The Lord let Nebuchadnezzar capture Jehoiakim…One day the king ordered Ashpenaz, his highest palace official, to choose some young men from the royal family of Judah and from other leading Jewish families. 4 The king said, ‘They must be healthy, handsome, smart, wise, educated, and fit to serve in the royal palace. Teach them how to speak and write our language 5 and give them the same food and wine that I am served. Train them for three years, and then they can become court officials.’

8 Daniel made up his mind to eat and drink only what God had approved for his people to eat. And he asked the king’s chief official for permission not to eat the food and wine served in the royal palace…17 God made the four young men smart and wise. They read a lot of books and became well educated. Daniel could also tell the meaning of dreams and visions.18 At the end of the three-year period set by King Nebuchadnezzar, his chief palace official brought all the young men to him.19 The king interviewed them and discovered that none of the others were as outstanding as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were given positions in the royal court.” Daniel 1 CEV

Most of us would not think that being taken into captivity was a leading to greener pastures but for Daniel and his friends it was. God elevated them to a place of authority and influence. He gave them favor and they were respected for their wisdom.

Further reading of the book of Daniel reveals multiple times that Daniel’s dependence on God opened the door for the Lord to do miracles and mighty works, prompting the kings he served to declare God’s might and power.

“King Darius then sent this message to all people of every nation and race in the world: ‘Greetings to all of you! 26 I command everyone in my kingdom to worship and honor the God of Daniel. He is the living God, the one who lives forever. His power and his kingdom
will never end. 27 He rescues people and sets them free by working great miracles.” Daniel 6:25-27 CEV

Even when we feel we have been thrown to the lions, if we are trusting God we will see we are in the greener pastures that He has prepared for us. Our focus should always be on following the Good Shepherd; He leads us to an abundant life.

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The Father’s Love

Today is the day we celebrate fathers; it’s also a day to celebrate our heavenly Father.

“His love for his followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth. 12 And he has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children.” Psalm 103:11-13 ERV

I know that we all come from different backgrounds and walks of life. However, varied that may be we all have the same, loving, heavenly Father.

It was such a pleasant surprise to begin in Psalms this morning and read these words:

“I offer you my heart, Lord God, 2  and I trust you. Don’t make me ashamed or let enemies defeat me. 3 Don’t disappoint any of your worshipers, but disappoint all deceitful liars.
4 Show me your paths and teach me to follow; 5 guide me by your truth and instruct me.
You keep me safe, and I always trust you.

6 Please, Lord, remember, you have always been patient and kind. 7 Forget each wrong I did
when I was young. Show how truly kind you are and remember me. 8 You are honest and merciful, and you teach sinners how to follow your path. 9 You lead humble people to do what is right and to stay on your path. 10 In everything you do, you are kind and faithful
to everyone who keeps our agreement with you.” Psalm 25:1-10 CEV

Once again the Bible points out that our Father is trustworthy and He will lead, guide and instruct us in the ways of life. He is kind and faithful. We just need to follow His lead.

He is forgiving, merciful, full of grace. He is good!

This morning I would like to end with these words of Jesus. This is the ending of His final prayer in the Garden before He was arrested and taken to be crucified. This was His prayer for us.

“Good Father, the people of this world don’t know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. 26 I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.” John 17:25-26 CEV

Jesus wants us to know what our heavenly Father is like; He wants us to know the Father’s love in the same depth that He knows the Father.

May I encourage you as you reflect on some of your favorite times with your father today that you also take some time to reflect on the greatness of our heavenly Father’s love. He is worthy of our devotion.

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