Category: Book

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Make Every Thought Count

I think I told you once that as a child I was plagued with bad dreams. Well, I had a bad dream last night however, now there is a difference. What once were dreams filled with monsters and boogie men have now turned to situations and circumstances that would seek to destroy my peace and rob me of the ones I love. They seem more real and at times harder to deal with BUT…the exciting part is that now I use God’s Word in my dreams to dispel any sense of fear and danger!

In fact, I’ve really started using these night time situations to gauge my stand in the Word. Jesus said to his disciples, “In this world you will have tribulation, but we of good cheer I have overcome the world”. My dreams let me see how I would react to a situation – do I run and hide and let fear overtake me or do I stand firm, established on God’s word and remain at peace?

In II Timothy 1:7 we have a promise that all of us can hold on too.

“The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7 ERV

King David said in Psalm 4:8
“When I go to bed, I sleep in peace, because, Lord, you keep me safe.” ERV

If God isn’t the one who sends fear but power and we are confident that the Lord keeps us safe then we can sleep in peace. So what to do with those bad dreams that creep in –

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” II Corinthians 3:3-5 NKJV

Use your dreams as spiritual training ground. Make them line up with God’s word! The spirit man is always awake and alert – although the physical man needs rest the spirit of man is ready to fight if we keep him energized with God’s Word.

Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Every thought – not just the waking thoughts but every thought. Let the Word of God bring you to victory – speak it out with your mouth, let it control your heart and your actions.

The Apostle Paul says that we are to stand in the full armor of God in Ephesians 6. Part of the armor is the helmet of salvation – the helmet protects the head, the head is where these disobedient thoughts come from. So the helmet of salvation protects our minds from thoughts that don’t line up with God’s word. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God – the way we get saved is by hearing God’s word, the way we have our mind renewed is by hearing God’s word.

“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 6:17-18 ERV

So whether you’re awake or asleep live in a constant state of prayer – prayer is communicating with the Father. Talk to Him about the things in your life and about things that are in the lives of those you love and then things that are going on around the world with people you don’t know.

Take every thought captive as you do fear will be gone and you will be filled with love, power and a sound mind.

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God Is Faithful

God is faithful. That’s His nature, His character! When we stop to wonder “if” God will come through this time – remember His faithfulness. “Will” he be there for me?

Not sure who woke up this morning questioning and wondering if God was still there, if He could still be trusted, but whoever you are let me tell you that He is – He is the great I AM.

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

So many changes in our modern lives, it’s hard to imagine that God is ALWAYS faithful, He is ALWAYS the same.

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


God is not a liar – His word is always true, you can count on Him! You can depend on His promises.
” God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

Since the beginning of time the sun has come up every morning and set each evening, the tides ebb and flow, the seasons change but as constant as those things are they won’t last forever but God’s word will always remain the same.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35

You can depend on God’s faithfulness. He has always been there and will always continue to be!

“The Lord God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.[b] I am the one who is, who always was, and who is coming. I am the All-Powerful.” Revelation 1:8 ERV

Trust in Him today!

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Cheerleading

Do you realize that this year is 2/3 complete? What goals are we accomplishing – what successes have we had so far? Do you know that our Father is gracious and loving and He has such big plans for us? Plans for our success and benefit? Oh my goodness – He is our biggest cheerleader! He is at everything soccer game, basketball game, swim meet, 4H and FFA event and on every shoot. He’s there cheering us on and He does it with a good attitude and doesn’t say bad words if the “ref” gets it wrong.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

I used kids’ activities as my examples because each of us as a parent has been there to cheer our kids on and to tell them they are great but God does it in a much greater way.

He also there in every prayer we pray over our kids, He’s in on every discussion we have with our mate, He attends every business meeting, goes on every trip, is there for every sale and training session. He’s not a dead beat or absentee Father! He’s involved in our lives as much as we allow Him to be. He’s there!

He’s written everything down that we need to succeed. It’s not a suggestion book or an advice column but He has given us what we need to succeed in every area.

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 NIV

Oh, He’s also given us a freewill. We can go out and try things on our own. We can fail, we can fall flat on our faces and He will be there to pick us up and set us on the right path once again. Don’t we do this with our kids? How our hearts break when they try to do it on their own and don’t listen to our instruction. We know what’s best and they ignore us – and we love them anyway. We reach out to hold them, to comfort them and then to give them instruction once again. Our Father is just like that – where do you think we learned it?

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

If this year hasn’t brought a life of victory, maybe it’s because we are trying to do things on our own without reading the instruction manual, or it could be that our enemy has devised a plan against us. If it’s the former, we need to get in the book and take it to heart – “lean not to our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths”.

And if it’s the latter, get in the Word and take the authority that has been given us by the Father and put the enemy in his place. Don’t quit, don’t give up but go forward in the power and authority that the Father has made available to us.

“We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” II Peter 1:3-5 CEV

We have been given everything we need to live a life of victory – we have been given God’s great and precious promises! He’s cheering us on today! Listen for His voice and follow His words.

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94 Years!

Yesterday we had a wonderful time celebrating Mom’s birthday. Cake, ice cream, flowers, friends, presents, cards and lots of phone calls. What a great celebration of her 94 years!

This morning she’s sleeping in so we are leaving early and getting home ahead of the heat on the desert. Thankful for so many precious memories and asking the Lord for more to come.

Take joy in your day – make a memory and praise God for the blessings you have received.

“Let all who run to you for protection
always sing joyful songs. Provide shelter for those
who truly love you and let them rejoice.
12 Our Lord, you bless those who live right,
and you shield them with your kindness.” Psalm 5: 11-12

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Don’t Fret – Rest

Words of the Day: Fret Not, Trust, Delight, Commit, Rest, Cease & Inherit!!! Now just reading these words without explanation should put a spark in your step today – Psalm 37 is filled with God’s promise to you – Don’t limit Him today.

Did you realize you can limit God? In the Gospels it says that Jesus went about healing and doing good but in His own home town He could do no mighty work because of their unbelief. In Psalms it says that the children of Israel limited God. We… can be guilty of the same thing today! Make up your mind and establish your heart – don’t limit God! He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and all-loving. He desires to show Himself strong on your behalf.

“Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.” Psalm 37: 1-8 NKJV

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A Gift Called Wisdom

We have a real need in our world today for wisdom – God inspired, God given wisdom! We don’t need intellect or education – that’s knowledge. Knowledge without wisdom is futile.

Good old common sense, isn’t so common anymore.

I was doing a search on wisdom and what I found was really cool. Really it was! Wisdom, the word, is first used in Exodus chapters 28 – 36 when the Lord showed Moses how to make the Tabernacle. It talks about all the workers who were assigned the tasks …of building. It says that they were all filled with a spirit of wisdom.

“I have chosen Bezalel from the Judah tribe to make the sacred tent and its furnishings. 3-5 Not only have I filled him with my Spirit, but I have given him wisdom and made him a skilled craftsman who can create objects of art with gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood.” Exodus 31:2-4

Then it goes on to show that Joshua was filled with wisdom and Solomon had wisdom. Solomon said wisdom was of more value than gold and we should “pursue” it!

Wisdom brings understanding; understanding of God’s ways and the blessings He has given to us as His own children.

“So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. 17 I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. 18 My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people.” Ephesians 1:16-18

God has promised to give wisdom to anyone who asks – so as you are looking at your day, your occupation, your marriage, your kids… Let God fill you with His wisdom and it will definitely make a much more favorable outcome.

“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. 6 But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm.” James 1:5-6

If you need wisdom today – ask and you will receive it.

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Peace in the Storm

This morning when I opened my computer I was taken back by the images of the destruction that some in Rockport and the Texas Gulf Coast experienced yesterday. And now for days and weeks ahead they will be recovering.

Others are facing storms that aren’t pictured on the news, the devastation may be visible by not captured by a lens or it may be internal and can’t be seen at all.

Whatever kind of storm you may be facing let God bring you peace.

” Suddenly a windstorm struck the lake. Waves started splashing into the boat, and it was about to sink.

38 Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep. His disciples woke him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re about to drown?”

39 Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm.”
Mark 4:37-39 CEV

Let God bring you peace in the midst of your storm. Keep your focus on His presence and not the size of the waves!

Peace – perfect peace! When we’re in turmoil, confusion, stress we need to readjust our focus. I’ve heard it said that Christians just put their heads in the sand and don’t look at things right. Not true, our heads aren’t in the sand but instead they are in the air. When our focus is up, we will be in perfect peace even in the worst circumstances.

Re-adjust your focus today. Looking at things the way the rest of the world does blurs the truth and causes you to “try” to fix things yourself. Being self-centered is a true recipe for disaster. Being God-centered is a place of peace and rest.

“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

4 So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].” Isaiah 26:3-4 AMP

Make God’s word the first and final source of focus and live a life of peace!

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Quiet Mornings

Do you get tired of all the noise? The TV blaring, traffic on the way to work, the noise in the office, the negative conversations of people around us and then there are the noises in our own heads – all of these are trying to steal our peace.

I guess that’s why I love early mornings so much – no sounds except the coffee pot, the ceiling fan and my Father and I talking heart to heart.  I love it! Seems to put everything in perspective. I’ve been asked why I get up so… early – habit, years of habit. Now that I’m retired, I’m glad that rising early was a practice I started when I had small children, home schooling, a business to run and all the daily chores that so many of you do. Rising early gave me time to focus on what’s important, on the One who is most important and who can walk me through each part of my day.

“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 KJV

I’m going to place this whole Psalm here. In the first few verses the Psalmist talks about all the noise – the mountains rumble, the oceans roar, the earth quakes and wars rage but we will not be afraid because God is our refuge and strength – a help in times of trouble!

Stop the noise today – pull aside and be still and know your God!

“God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 And so, we won’t be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.
3 Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains.
4 A river and its streams bring joy to the city, which is the sacred home of God Most High.
5 God is in that city, and it won’t be shaken. He will help it at dawn.
6 Nations rage! Kingdoms fall! But at the voice of God the earth itself melts.
7 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come! See the fearsome things the Lord has done on earth.9 God brings wars to an end all over the world. He breaks the arrows, shatters the spears, and burns the shields.[a]
10 Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.”
11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46 CEV

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In Your Presence

I don’t often go places by myself but yesterday I had a hair appointment so I drove down to the salon. Before I pulled out of the drive I found an old CD that I had purchased years ago on one of our trips to Phoenix.

The artist was a worship leader at a church in Mesa. The songs were fresh and powerful. Her voice is strong and inviting and I had forgotten what an impact they made in my heart.

One song in particular reminded me of the devotional a few days ago of building our relationship with the Lord. It’s called In Your Presence.

How comforting it is to know that we are invited into the presence of our heavenly Father. He desires to spend time with us, He’s waiting for us to come to His throne. He wants us to know Him.

“I am the Lord, the only God.
There is no other God except me.
I put your clothes on you,
but still you don’t know me.

6 I am doing this so that everyone will know
that I am the only God.
From the east to the west, people will know that I am the Lord
and that there is no other God.

7 I made the light and the darkness.
I bring peace, and I cause trouble.
I, the Lord, do all these things.” Isaiah 45:5-7 ERV

Our relationship with the Heavenly Father is a loving, kind and miraculous one. His purpose from the beginning, from the garden, was to have this kind of relationship. One where we could walk and talk to each other, one where we are in His presence and not afraid.

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.”
Hebrews 4:16 ERV

Things bothering you today – life presenting you challenges – joys you want to share? Come boldly to His presence!

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My words

This morning I was listening to my own prayer. I found myself complaining about some circumstances and asking the Lord to change them. That’s when it hit me – my words!

Years ago I received teaching on the words we speak and how they should honor the Lord. I’m not just talking about profanity…that one is obvious but the daily words of life.

All words are containers and Solomon said that death and life are in the power of the tongue. We either speak productive, life giving words or we speak words of destruction and idleness.

It’s not just an isolated teaching in Scripture. King David spoke of it, Isaiah, Solomon, Jesus, Paul, Peter – they all had teaching on words.

So as a refresher course this morning I will share a few of my favorites. I know I need this and hopefully you will benefit from the instruction I am receiving.

“Help me to guard my words whenever I say something” Psalm 141:3 CEV

“May my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Psalm 19:14 ERV

“The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.” Proverbs 18:21 ERV

“I promise you that on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless word they have spoken. 37 On that day they will be told that they are either innocent or guilty because of the things they have said.” Matthew 12:36-37 ERV

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Philippians 2:14 ERV

Yes Lord, I get the point!

Father, put a watch on my mouth. I desire to honor you with every word I speak today. Let my words build up and not tear down. Let my words be true spoken in love and that way I will be a reflection of Your heart. Forgive me when I fail. Thank you for teaching me and reminding me of Your word. In Jesus name I say amen and amen.

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