Category: John

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More Than Expected

I love the mornings when I wake up thinking about the goodness of God!

Frankly, I used to have mornings when I would dread getting up because I knew the day was going to be chaotic and at times confrontational. I went to sleep focused on a problem and it would be the first thing on my mind when I greeted the day. But now, most mornings I am in awe of God’s love.

Do you want to know what was on my mind this morning?

“God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers 17 and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love. 18  I pray that you and all God’s people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep.19 I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.

20-21 I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21 CEV

God is wonderful and He wants us to know and experience the depth of His unconditional, unending, immeasurable love!

There is nothing more powerful than the love of God because God is the full embodiment of love and He wants to fill our lives with all He is. To be filled with that love, that power, working in us is certainly more than I could possibly imagine or ask for.

Our heavenly Father’s desire is to live through us so that we are experiencing the fullest life ever.

“I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

Those aren’t my words, those come from the Apostle Paul who was writing to Christians who were young in the faith. He wanted them to know, and us to know also, the amazing depth of His love and commitment to us.

It truly is so much greater than anything we could dream of, imagine or ask for but that’s how God is!

When Christ came to earth one of His names was Immanuel meaning God with us. This is so much more than a baby in a manger. This is Christ, the full expression of the Godhead, making us complete and providing all that we need to live the same type of life that He lived while He was on earth.

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

More than expected? Absolutely. Our heavenly Father has a life planned for us that is beyond our dreams.

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Joy, Joy, Joy

When I was a little girl we sang a song in Sunday School. “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart…down in my heart to stay”.

And when I was a teenager we sang, “Jeremiah was a bullfrog. Was a good friend of mine…Joy to the world, all the boys and girls”.

At Christmas time we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come”.

Each day I wake with a joyful heart, not because life is perfect but because the Lord promises to never leave or abandon me. His grace is sufficient to carry me through my storms and disappointments. He heals my broken heart , restores my soul and gives me joy!

Today my joy is just a little more exuberant! Had a wonderful time yesterday with Dave, Kim, Austin, Kaci, Stephen and Kaci’s littles. We missed Koy and Kym. (I hate that they live so far away.)

It was a day of giggles and hugs, love and laughter. Kisses and tickles. It was a day of family.

When I put the word joy into the search engine of my Bible app this morning it came up with 444 references on joy. Oh my, yes, our heavenly Father wants our life here on earth to be joy-filled.

“ But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things.” Galatians 5:22-23 ERV

Just like fruit grows in an orchard or vegetables sprout in a garden, the Lord plants seeds that will produce fruit in our lives and the Holy Spirit is the gardener Who is always there to see that they grow.

In the hard times, and there will be hard times, the Lord is there to sustain us.

“Lord, hear my prayer, and be kind to me. Lord, help me!” 11 You have changed my sorrow into dancing. You have taken away my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. 12 You wanted me to praise you and not be silent.  Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” Psalm 30:10-12 ERV

Jesus knows what it’s like to face life’s worst circumstances. The night of His arrest He spent time with His apostles talking to them about the anxiety they would feel. Speaking peace into their hearts and telling them to ask the Father for what they needed and then they would be filled with joy.

“Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive. Then your joy will be full.” John 16:24 NLV

Joy is an emotion but it’s also a decision. It’s the act of letting God’s goodness always reign in our hearts. When we are weak His joy gives us strength.

“You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can’t see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a wonderful and heavenly joy that cannot be explained.” I Peter 1:8 ERV

“…Today is a special day to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong.” Nehemiah 8:10 ERV

I hear the birds outside and each morning they wake singing praise to the Lord. Their joy is contagious. Yes, this morning I will sing, “I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay.

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Up Close & Personal

This morning as I was praying, I found myself thinking about and depending on my “personal” relationship with my heavenly Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit.

My Father, my Savior and older brother, my Holy Spirit given as helper, comforter and constant counsellor.

It would have been strange, growing up, to have called my dad the Father. Nothing personal about that.

I have an older brother and I always called him by his name because we had a personal and loving relationship. I have no counsellor or trusted confidant but one and I call him Holy Spirit.

With all three, my relationship is deeply personal. That’s the way He designed it to be.

He was always willing to announce who He is and who He desires to be in our lives.

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 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 but He is the great I AM!

We can spend time looking at the problems in our world and our lives, but I encourage you to look at the answer and not the problem!

“May you have loving-favor and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ…4 Even before the world was made, God chose us for Himself because of His love. He planned that we should be holy and without blame as He sees us. 5 God already planned to have us as His own children. This was done by Jesus Christ. In His plan God wanted this done.” Ephesians 1:2-5 NLV

Our Father chose us before the world began. He has no greater desire than to have us as His children. He wants us to be up close and personal.

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I Like Your House

I hope you all forgive me for not getting a blog posted this morning. It was a day that life got in the way!

Friday noon our three youngest grandchildren came for a visit. They are 7,5, and 3. Our afternoon was filled with coloring, games, swimming, dinner and smores. Housing three littles in an RV is a delightful challenge. We have a big bed that drops down from the ceiling in the toy-hauler garage that made the perfect bed for the three of them when they were smaller but in the last year, all three of them have really grown.

The drop-down bed was perfect size for the two girls, and we had a surprise for Sam, the 7-year-old. There’s a sleeping loft between the kitchen and the garage. Just the right size for one growing boy. We weren’t sure how well he would do with going up and down the ladder but after a few timid encounters, he finally climbed to the top, crawled in and announced, “I really like my new bed”. Wonderful!

More games, prayer time and then off to bed.

Saturday morning I was up by 4, followed shortly by Sam, who was peeking over the edge of the loft at 4:15. Kristine woke by 4:30. I told her she had to go back to sleep. She rolled over and did. Sam was given permission to come down but needed to lay on the couch so I could finish my writing. “You have to be quiet. You can’t wake the girls or Pappy”. He heeded my words.

Once the others were up, we all went outside in our jammies before it got too hot and put out fresh water for the birds, seed in the feeder, water the plants and made sidewalk chalk drawings. It warms up fast in the desert so we were back inside just before breakfast.

More games to play and drawings to make for their parents.

Before we knew it, their parents were here and we were grilling hamburgers. The perfect lunch and then off to the swimming pool again. The three-year-old had fallen asleep at lunch and so she and Pappy stayed at the RV to make homemade ice cream for when we returned.

While we were at the pool Kristine whispered to me, “I really like coming to your trailer, Besta”, followed by a tight squeeze.

“For a day in Your house is better than a thousand outside. I would rather be the one who opens the door of the house of my God, than to live in the tents of the sinful. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and a safe-covering. The Lord gives favor and honor. He holds back nothing good from those who walk in the way that is right.” Psalm 84:10-11 NLV

“Better is one day in Your house than a thousand elsewhere, oh yes Father, that’s how I feel about You.”

All too soon it was time for them to go home. As Sam was getting into the car he hugged me and this time he whispered in my ear, “Besta, when can we come back”? With a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye I said, “soon, very soon”.

“ There are many rooms in My Father’s house. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going away to make a place for you. 3 After I go and make a place for you, I will come back and take you with Me. Then you may be where I am.” John 14:2-3 NLV

In case you’re asking, I want you to know that the Lord said He’s coming back, soon, very soon and we can go home with Him.

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Long Life & Honor

The more I thought about how to title this morning’s blog the more it sounded like something from Star Trek, “Live long and prosper”.

It made me wonder, how many seasoned saints heard Leonard Nimoy make that statement in the 1960’s and said “that sure sounds like Scripture”?

I am not a Trekkie. In fact, I’ve probably only seen a half dozen episodes of the original series and none of the movies or subsequent spinoffs. However, that theme is worth pondering.

I actually found it twice this morning in the book of Proverbs.

“By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4 NKJV

“He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.” Proverbs 21:21 NKJV

These two verses, repeated as close together as they are, give us instruction for daily life. Life goals, as it were. Most of us want to prosper in this life but prosperity can mean different things to different people. To some it means great wealth and to others it means a life filled with joy and peace.

Jesus repeated Solomon’s teaching when He said to His disciples:

“The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

Early in our marriage I had my own definition of prosperity. I told David I would know we were prosperous when I could go to the grocery store without a calculator and be able to pay for the items in my cart. That may seem very simplistic, and it is but going from not having enough to having a full cart and the money to pay for it was prosperity. It still is!

“The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need.” Psalm 23:1 NLV

“ And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NLV

Getting to know the Father and His character, understanding the example that Jesus set for us and following the leading of the Holy Spirit bring us to a place of confidence in the promises of God.

“The Helper (Holy Spirit) will tell about Me when He comes. I will send Him to you from the Father. He is the Spirit of Truth and comes from the Father. ” John 15:26 NLV

So, the question comes. How do we live long and prosper? We humble ourselves, trusting God’s wisdom more than we do our own, and let Him direct our steps.

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Under the Circumstances

Too many times people become overwhelmed by the circumstances that surround them. I remember once I taught a ladies Bible Study on “Are You Under the Circumstances or A World Overcomer?”

This was a six week study so suffice it to say that I won’t be doing the full teaching here…

The enemy tries to get us to focus on the circumstances. Daniel had to face lions, David went up against a giant, Peter was in a small boat on a stormy sea, Paul was shipwrecked, beaten, bitten by a poisonous snake, stoned and imprisoned.

However, I continually find myself going back to these verses and principles, putting myself in remembrance of what God says my life should be. The Father wants us to look up, above the circumstances, to His promises, power and peace.

“I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 ERV

“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

“Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 CEV

So when you are feeling overwhelmed or under the circumstances do what King David said.

“God, hear my cry for help. Listen to my prayer. 2 From a faraway land I call to you for help. I feel so weak and helpless! Carry me to a high rock where no one can reach me. 3 You are my place of safety, a strong tower that protects me from my enemies.” Psalm 61:1-3 ERV

I can almost hear someone say, “that’s fine and good for you but my lifestyle isn’t close to God. He probably doesn’t want anything to do with me and wouldn’t help me if I asked.”

Let me remind you of a young man who felt that way about his father. He had squandered his money – lived with prostitutes, gamblers and didn’t care about anyone but himself. Then when he got to the bottom, he thought he would try to go home and work as a hired hand.

The Father had other plans. He saw his son coming from a long way, ran to him, hugged and kissed him and restored him to right standing. And so, He WILL do it for you too.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the world instead overcome it in Jesus!

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Religion or Relationship

I love when we get together with friends and our conversation focuses on our relationship with the Lord!

For so many years I lived by religious rules. Church attendance was required. There was Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night and the reoccurring youth get togethers. Sad to say most of it was a religious act and didn’t build my relationship with the Lord. It didn’t matter that through the week I felt lonely, out of the inner circle and abandon. There was an ache in my heart a deeper connection with the Lord and I wasn’t finding it.

“Everything and everyone that the Father has given me will come to me, and I won’t turn any of them away.” John 6:37 CEV

Last night we visited with friends and shared from the heart about our walk with the Lord. We have been in churches and religious surroundings where we were treated like outcasts. But you know what? We were in good company because Jesus faced the same treatment from the religious rulers of His day.

“God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the kingdom of heaven.11  God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. 12  Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.” Matthew 5:10-12 CEV

Jesus faced down the religion of His day. The religious leaders said he was unfit because He ate with sinners and the lower class of society. Jesus’ response was: “I came to seek and to save those who are lost”. Religion and their opinions didn’t stop Him.

It shouldn’t stop us either.

We have pharisees living among us and at times, if we aren’t careful, we could act just like them. We judge because of someone’s appearance and/or lifestyle. But that’s not God’s way. God looks at the heart and to Him sin is sin, no big sins or little sins – just sin.

“They kept on asking Jesus about the woman. Finally, he stood up and said, ‘If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her! 8′  Once again he bent over and began writing on the ground.” John 8:7-8 CEV

 “If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all. ” James 2:10 CEV

Religion judges. Relationship forgives and restores.

“Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. 7 No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.” Romans 5:6-8 CEV

Let’s cultivate relationship with our loving and forgiving heavenly Father and stay away from religious judgements.

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Learned Behavior

Yesterday we found ourselves in deep conversation with friends. We were talking about prejudice and how it’s a learned behavior. I made a statement about learned behavior and if we learn it we can also unlearn it.

It’s not easy but with God’s grace, He can transform our hearts.

I work hard to get passed outward appearances. What people look like, how the sound, educated or unlearned, political leanings, rich or poor, young or old – none of it makes any difference to God.

“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

“ And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes. 28 Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman.” Galatians 3:27-28 CEV

If I had been with Jesus when he was preaching and teaching would I have been accepting of the woman in adultery, would I have been willing to eat dinner with Zacchaeus, would I have even talked to the woman at the well long enough to find out that she needed a friend or a Savior?

Just being honest with you. Too many times I have judged people by their outward appearance without seeing who Jesus sees. Maybe you are better than me in these circumstances.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day judged Him unacceptable because He didn’t keep their religious traditions. Jesus healed people on the Sabbath day, He had dinner with tax collectors and other sinners. He was unconventional, He allowed Himself to be touched by lepers and the demon possessed.

He came to love the world!

The Apostle Paul gave us this instruction:

“If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord’s followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. 2 We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. 3 Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, ‘The people who insulted you also insulted me.’ 4 And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope. 5 God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ. 6 Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you. 8 I tell you that Christ came as a servant of the Jews to show that God has kept the promises he made to their famous ancestors. Christ also came, 9 so that the Gentiles would praise God for being kind to them…

13 I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.” Romans 15:1-13 CEV

We are always going to have different opinions over politics, money, education, appearance, lifestyle, doctrines but those differences should never stop us from loving those whom God created.

We need to have the same mind as Christ in this. He hated sin so much that He died to pay the price for atonement but He loved the sinner so much that He willingly went to the cross.

If we are guilty of learned behavior let it be the behavior we see modeled by Christ and His unconditional love!

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Extraction

Six years ago we were in Indiana for the Indianapolis 500 race. This was a bucket list item of Dave’s. Our son and his girlfriend made it possible. It was an amazing time!

I don’t remember who won but what I do remember is the patriotism. The unapologetic display of our flag and the way they honored our fallen soldiers and those who are currently serving.

The image I used this morning was one I captured as the Army Airborne performed a ground to air extraction. We watched as each man went hand-over-hand up the rope and the helicopter rose higher and higher, simulating the removal of soldiers to safety. The last soldier was charged with unfurling the American flag. I cried…

Isn’t it great to have a day when we think about the sacrifice that others have been willing to make on our behalf? Time to reflect and remember those who have given so much. Folks that we don’t even know have fought for us, many gave their lives.

And yet, there is one greater than all these who gave His life for our freedom.

“And we can see that it was while we were powerless to help ourselves that Christ died for sinful men. In human experience it is a rare thing for one man to give his life for another, even if the latter be a good man, though there have been a few who have had the courage to do it. Yet the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

When we were at our worst, He died to set us free from sin and all the destruction that it would bring. The freedom He gives isn’t just for this life but it has eternal value. He gives us an abundant life here on earth and the promise of eternity in heaven with Him.

“The thief comes with the sole intention of stealing and killing and destroying, but I came to bring them life, and far more life than before. ” John 10:10

The thing that Christ asks of us is that we don’t take His sacrifice for granted, ignoring it or taking it lightly. He asks us to love and live a life of love as He did. We have a responsibility to share the love that He has freely given us with others.

“This is my commandment: that you love each other as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this—that a man should lay down his life for his friends. ” John 15:12-13 CEV

Every day should be “Memorial Day” as we remember the One who gave His all for us.

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All About God

Dave and I have been watching a YouTube channel called “I.A.G. Farms” for the last month. It’s about the homesteading adventures of a young family of 5 in Mississippi.

They have cleared the land, put in structures, and begun to raise their farm animals. There are hogs, sheep, chickens, and cows. The three small boys help out, right along side Mom and Dad. They are so industrious and committed to being good stewards of the land they have purchased.

It’s heartwarming to see.

I.A.G. Farms has a purpose and a calling. The abbreviation stands for “It’s All About God”. They are committed to living their lives to honor God and they want their farm to show His goodness and provision. They have quite the testimony.

Watching them the other day as they worked their land and express their gratitude of what God had given them, I was impressed by the example they are setting for their boys and for their viewers.

“ In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master. 24 Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, who will give you what he promised his people. Yes, you are serving Christ. He is your real Master” Colossians 3:23-24 ERV

Whatever we do – make it all about God.

Each one of us who follow Christ have been called to a 24/7 relationship. We are fulltime Christians. It’s not just a Sunday experience. We are to take what we learn in our personal time of reading God’s word and our prayer time and bring it into the real world. We are here to make a difference in our homes, our schools, our workplace and our communities.

John, who baptized so many people, told his disciples that his purpose was to lead others to Christ.

“ He must become more and more important, and I must become less important.” John 3:31 ERV

Our goal should be the same.

“Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 ERV

Short and to the point. In the same way that our children imitated us as they were growing up, we are to be imitators of our heavenly Father.

As the Apostle Paul was coming to the end of his life he summed it up this way.

“To me, the only important thing about living is Christ. And even death would be for my benefit. 22 If I continue living here on earth, I will be able to work for the Lord. But what would I choose—to live or to die? I don’t know.” Philippians 1:21-22 ERV

Each day is a day to live with purpose, after all, it’s all about God!

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