Category: Psalms

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Nothing Better

Some mornings I want nothing more than to imagine that I am snuggling in my Father’s arms and feeling the comfort of His love! Aww, there’s nothing better than that.

The world we live in is filled with crazy distractions and difficulties. It can be overwhelming.

What was the first thing on your mind this morning? The kids, your job, health, finances, a relationship, the world crisis – whatever it is, the Lord has a solution.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

His lap is cozy enough to have room for you to cuddle up and draw strength from Him.

His Word is powerful enough to change the course of rivers and set the boundaries in the sky; so at His word your world can change from disorder to order. Don’t let anything hold you back from enjoying the Father’s presence, His power and His word.

“The rules you have given me to follow will be mine forever. They give me great joy. 112 More than anything I want to obey your laws always, until the end of my life.” Psalm 119:11-112 ERV

Do you remember when your kids and grandkids were small? The times when they would crawl up in your lap and snuggle in? They were coming to find comfort, a place of peace and protection. They were secure.

What did that do to your heart?

It melted, I’m sure. It was a time when you sensed you were trusted, and unconditionally depended upon. I imagine that’s how the Father’s heart feels when we pull away from all the distractions and come to find rest and comfort in Him.

This is a verse I share often in this blog, but it isn’t just because it makes good writing. No, it is a life-style verse for me.

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

This is my invitation, our invitation, to come to the Father where we find help and comfort. A place of safety and protection, a place of trust. To me, there’s nothing better than enjoying the love I find in my Father’s presence.

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A Safety Line

Four years ago, Dave and I were on the way from our home in Rio Rico to Las Vegas. From Las Vegas we would fly to Chicago and then drive on to Indianapolis for the big Indy 500. This was a bucket list item for Dave.

But on our drive, we were met with a delay. We heard a helicopter whirling overhead and as we made the next bend in the road we saw why.

There, suspended in a safety harness, was a workman who was securing lines on an electrical tower. He seemed to be working confidently as the helicopter pilot held him in place. Attached to the safety harness was a steel cable keeping him tethered to the helicopter.

The helicopter pilot had to adjust to wind currents and the like, holding the workman secure.

We have a safety line from the Father. It’s called an anchor of hope.

“These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he says something, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath.

So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours. 19 This hope is like an anchor for us. It is strong and sure and keeps us safe. It goes behind the curtain. 20 Jesus has already entered there and opened the way for us. He has become the high priest forever, just like Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:18-20 ERV

Since God cannot lie His promises hold true. They are an anchor for us, an anchor of hope. Jesus is like that helicopter pilot. He is in heaven holding the line that keeps us secure.

Sometimes the winds of life blow fiercely; the earth beneath our feet starts to quake and our knees give way. Flooding torrents of opposition try to swamp us and take us under. But never forget our Father and Jesus, our Savior, hold the lines of our safety.

“God saves me and honors me. He is that mighty rock where I find safety.8 Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each of your concerns. God is our place of safety.” Psalm 62:7-8 CEV

“You are my Lord and God, and I look to you for safety. Don’t let me be harmed.” Psalm 141:8 CEV

Our God knew Daniel would face a lions’ den; He knew that Noah would need an ark. He knew that the widow only had a small cruse of oil and a little flour; He knew the disciples would be on the sea in a storm.

He knew!

And He said: “Descendants of Jacob, I, the Lord, created you and formed your nation. Israel, don’t be afraid. I have rescued you, I have called you by name; now you belong to me. 2 When you cross deep rivers, I will be with you, and you won’t drown. When you walk through fire, you won’t be burned or scorched by the flames. 3 I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, the God who saves you.” Isaiah 43:1-3 CEV

Everyone who has placed their faith in Jesus is a descendant of Jacob and these verses were written for us.

God’s word is our safety line and Jesus, Himself, is holding us secure!

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Walk of Victory

A new day! A fresh start – opportunities, potential, promise all lay ahead of you today. How will you spend the time that God has given you today?

If there are obstacles in your way do what Moses did:

“And the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” Exodus 8:20 NKJV

Speak to Pharaoh and tell him the Great I AM – has freed you from his power and set you in a place of victory.

Joshua told us we would have good success if we meditated on God’s word day and night.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 NKJV

And King David told us to rise early and seek God.

“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter.10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.” Psalm 143:8-10 NKJV

This morning in my prayer time the Lord reminded me of the times I have gotten up and told Him, “Father, I just feel like I want to fall into a heap”. But then He also reminded me of why I got up and kept going.

“Children, you belong to God, and you have defeated these enemies. God’s Spirit is in you and is more powerful than the one who is in the world.” I John 4:4 CEV

Don’t despise getting up early. It’s God’s time of preparation, getting you ready for the day and a walk of victory!

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Don’t Ever Stop Trusting

Did you trust the Lord yesterday? What kinds of things did you trust Him for? Peace and safety, health and strength? The food on your table? A good job?

“With your help I can defeat an army. If my God is with me, I can climb over enemy walls. 30 God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in him. 31 There is no God except the Lord. There is no Rock except our God.” Psalms 18:29-31 ERV

Look at that!

“The Lord’s promise always proves to be true”.

We trust Him to forgive our sins and to make us a part of His family. We trust Him when He says that we will have eternal life but sometimes we forget to trust Him with the day-to-day circumstances.

“Did you forget what happened with the Ethiopians and the Libyans who also had a powerful army with many chariots and horse soldiers? That time you depended on the Lord to help you, and he let you defeat them. 9 The eyes of the Lord go around looking in all the earth for people who are faithful to him so that he can make them strong.” II Chronicles 16:8-9 ERV

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” II Chronicles 16:9 NLT

Our Father has always been concerned with the day-to-day.

He provided food for the Israelites in the wilderness; He made sure there were five stones available for David’s slingshot. He provided a ram to sacrifice when Abraham and Isaac went up the mountain. He turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana. He brought fish to the nets of struggling fisherman. He delivered the Israelites from the armies of their enemies.

Our Father is trustworthy!

“Many people are suffering— crushed by the weight of their troubles. But the Lord is a refuge for them, a safe place they can run to. 10 Lord, those who know your name come to you for protection. And when they come, you do not leave them without help.” Psalm 9:9-10 ERV

Hannah, a young woman who was barren, cried out to the Lord for a child. Her heart was aching from carrying such a heavy burden. She prayed and the Lord answered her prayer. This is her joyful response:

“Hannah said, ‘My heart is happy in the Lord. I feel very strong in my God. I laugh at my enemies. I am very happy in my victory. 2 There is no holy God like the Lord. There is no God but you. There is no Rock like our God.'” I Samuel 2:1-2 ERV

Dear reader and friend, I have no idea what you are facing but I do know that you should never quit trusting the Lord your God. There is no one like Him.

“God is our protection and source of strength.  He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. 2 So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea.
3 We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. Selah” Psalm 46:1-3 ERV

Never stop trusting our God!

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Orphaned? Not Alone!

In a few days I will commemorate the first anniversary of my mother’s death. I know many of you have already experienced this and understand the feelings of being an adult orphan. I’m hurting but I have also found amazing comfort.

It’s unusual not to have anyone to call mom or dad. I guess that’s one of the reasons my relationship with my heavenly Father is so precious.

“Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Prepare the way for the one who rides on the clouds. His name is Yah. Worship before him with joy.5 God, who lives in his holy palace, is a father to orphans, and he takes care of widows. 6 God provides homes for those who are lonely. He frees people from prison and makes them happy.” Psalm 68:4-6 ERV

He is a father to orphans – there is nothing that Scripture doesn’t cover. There is absolutely nothing that pertains to us that our Father doesn’t care about.

My morning quiet times gives me the opportunity to cuddle in and feel His loving arms around me. It’s my time to tell Him my hurts and my joys. It’s my time for Him to remind me I’m never alone and He causes my fears to dissipate.

“The Lord is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children. 14 He knows all about us.
He knows we are made from dust. 15 He knows our lives are short, that they are like grass.
He knows we are like a little wildflower that grows so quickly,16 but when the hot wind blows, it dies. Soon, you cannot even see where the flower was. 17 But the Lord has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever!” Psalm 103:13-17 ERV

He has always loved me and He will continue to love me forever! He loves you in exactly the same way. All of His kids are recipients of His unconditional love. The comfort we receive from Him is to be shared.

“Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. 4 He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share this same comfort with others in trouble.” II Corinthians 1:3-4 CEV

He molds our hearts; He shapes them to be like His. He wants the world to know of His amazing love and we get to be His ambassadors.

“God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others. 19 What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.” II Corinthians 5:18-19 CEV

Remember when we were kids and mom, or dad did something really special just for us? We couldn’t wait to tell our friends – we bragged on how amazing they were. That’s the feeling I get from the verses above.

Our heavenly Father has been so amazing to take us in and make us His own, I just have to brag about it.

We may have been orphaned; but with God’s love we will never be alone!

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Singing Before Dawn

This morning I slept a little longer than normal. How did I know? I was awaken by the birds singing in the pines just before dawn.

Normally I’m up and have had my first cup of coffee before they start their chorus. It’s a glorious way to start the day.

Listen…Stop right now and listen for 10 seconds…If you’re anything like me you’re morning starts with the sound of the coffee pot and the hum of the computer. But it hasn’t always been that way.

I remember what it’s like to wake to the alarm clock. Have kids that need to get up, be fed and taken to school on my way to the office in the busy traffic. Radio’s playing, tv spilling the morning news, emails to read, FB to check in on – so much noise.

When you stopped to listen did you hear the voice of God?

I love that when I wake up each morning I say “I love you Father, I love you Jesus, I love you Holy Spirit” and then I can hear that inner voice say “We love you too”. WOW!!

“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

Folks spend much of their time looking for the big, the spectacular, the miraculous and miss the simple, still small voice of God trying to lead them and give them insight.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I knew I shouldn’t have done that” or “It just dawned on me” or “I was just thinking about that very thing”? We often don’t realize that God is trying to get through to us.

Elijah was looking for God’s answers during a very serious time in his life. He was seeking God and there came a great wind and then an earthquake and then a fire and finally a still small voice. God spoke in a still small voice!

“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” I Kings 19:11-12

The song of the birds is my morning reminder, the still small voice, as it were that God has the day in order. The birds wake singing praise to God for His provision.

“ I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

The most important thing you’ll hear each morning, if you listen, will be the still small voice of the Lord. Sssssh – just listen!

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Deep Roots

For the past week we have been getting things ready for campers. They will begin arriving tomorrow. It has been a labor of love.

We are looking forward to a wonderful summer.

One of the biggest surprises we found when we arrived was the number of trees that had fallen during the winter. One in particular stands out. It is a massive ponderosa pine. I have no idea how old it is or how much it weighs but I can imagine the ground must have shaken when it fell.

Dave drove me over to see it and I was intrigued by the root base that had been up earthed. It just seemed a tree of that size would have had larger roots.

“good people are like trees with deep roots. ” Proverbs 12:12b CEV

Have you ever tried to uproot a tree? I did. We had been doing quite a bit of landscaping in the back yard of our home in southern Arizona. There were little mesquite shoots coming up. They were easy to remove because their trunks were small and their roots were shallow.

We left one, close to the back wall. It was no bigger around than my little finger. It was about the size of a pencil. We decided if it survived it would be a good shade tree. A year later it was flourishing. Five years later there were several strong branches and it reached 20-30 feet high and provided amazing shade. It would have been very difficult to remove it then.

“The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it at once. 21 But they don’t have deep roots, and they don’t last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up.” Matthew 13:20-21 CEV

When we are young Christians it’s easy to be unearthed. The Apostle Paul gave us good instruction for continuing to grow strong in the Lord.

“You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. 7 Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.” Colossians 2:6-7 CEV

Let’s plant our roots in Christ!

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I’m So Excited!

How’s that song go? “I’m so excited, I just can’t hide it. I’m about to lose control and I think I like it”.

Yes, that’s how I’m feeling this morning. The new refrigerator has been installed and is working properly and today we head to the mountain! I just wish all of you could go with us.

Did you wake up excited this morning? Do you have special plans for the weekend? Are you going to spend time with those you love? Maybe it’s a special anniversary or birthday you’ll be celebrating, or possibly a good report from your doctor. Whatever the event, large or small, it’s always better when we remember to thank the Father for his blessings.

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

The Lord wants us to be excited about life. Why else would He fill it with wonder?

Sunrises and sunsets could be a dull gray. Waterfalls could be unimpressive trickles. The “Grand Canyon” could be just a subtle ditch. A child’s giggle could be monotoned. Without the blessings of the Lord our lives would be mundane and far from the abundant life He promised.

“God, your goodness reaches far above the skies. You have done wonderful things. God, there is no one like you.” Psalm 71:19 ERV

Be excited about what God has done, is doing now and will do with our future! He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Let me encourage you to embrace each day with joy. Wrap your arms around the morning and say, “Father, I don’t know all the details of the day, but I know that You have designed it for my good”.

“But you are his chosen people, the King’s priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God. He chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. He brought you out of the darkness of sin into his wonderful light.” I Peter 2:10 ERV

If we truly believe God’s promise of abundant life, we will search for those blessings like a kid at Christmas. Oral Roberts was known for his saying, “Something good is going to happen to you today”.

“‘I say this because I know the plans that I have for you’. This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.'” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

Search for the Lord. He has planned a good future for us. Now, that’s something to be excited about!

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Admitted Failure

This morning I’m going to share the thing that has been frustrating me that last couple of weeks.

It’s my refrigerator!

About six weeks ago our new refrigerator started to malfunction. The freezer section is perfect, a minus two degrees; the refrigerator, however, has issues. It only cools to forty-four to forty-six degrees. This temperature is too warm to store eggs, milk, and other items that can spoil.

No problem, it’s under warranty. We had a tech come troubleshoot the problem, reported it to the manufacturer, finally we received approval for a replacement and waited for the trucking company to deliver it so it could be installed.

All of this was to happen before April 28 because we were supposed to leave for the mountain on May 2. The refrigerator wasn’t delivered until April 29, one day after our scheduled install. We had to reschedule, and we couldn’t get an appointment until tomorrow, May 5.

We are late getting to our campground on the mountain where we will be hosting again this summer. Did I mention that I am frustrated? I hate being late for anything and especially this.

Each morning the refrigerator, the schedule, the entire situation is a partial focus of my prayer time. And if I’m truthful, I’m not really praying about it I’m complaining! There, I said it.

I talk with you each morning about trusting the Lord with all the issues in life – the big and the small. I quote the verse:

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8 NKJV

The Lord perfects or completes the things that concern me – this refrigerator has been a big concern. How foolish! I’ve allowed this cooling box to heat my emotions. I’ve allowed it to cause unrest in my soul and complaining from my mouth.

“God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing. ” Philippians 2:13-14 CEV

The Lord is more concerned with my heart than with the temperature of my milk and eggs. Which one has a more eternal value?

Some of you may be reading this and saying “I can’t believe she is getting so upset about a refrigerator. The world has bigger problems than this.” And you’re right – I agree completely. So, learn from my error. Keep your heart right; I have repented, and I may have to do it again before this situation is resolved.

My verse for today is this:

“Help me to guard my words whenever I say something. 4 Don’t let me want to do evil
or waste my time doing wrong” Psalm 141:3-4CEV

I will guard my words and my heart and I choose to let God’s peace rule. I hope you do the same.

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Sit Quietly

This morning is one of those times when sleep eluded me. Awake at 1 am and up at 1:45. It was time to get up, pray and let the Lord speak to my heart.

I cherish those times of sitting quietly in His presence.

I began to read some of my favorite passages and found myself in Colossians. It’s there I stayed; my heart was flooded with complete gratitude – there truly are no words to express my thankfulness.

“God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son. 14 The Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 ERV

Every sin I have ever committed and every one that I still will are forgiven!

Christ paid the price for our sin, once for all, we have been made right with God. I have been made right with God!

“At one time you were separated from God. You were his enemies in your minds, because the evil you did was against him. 22 But now he has made you his friends again. He did this by the death Christ suffered while he was in his body. He did it so that he could present you to himself as people who are holy, blameless, and without anything that would make you guilty before him. ” Colossians 1:21-22 ERV

No longer separated from, no longer enemies but friends. And not just friends – we’ve been adopted as His own. Christ died for me, to forgive me and then presented me to the Father as one who is holy, blameless and without guilt.

“You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLV

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

I am welcome in His throne room. I am invited to spend time in His presence. It’s important to sit quietly in His presence with no agenda or requests. In His presence is the fullness of joy!

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