Category: Psalms

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Promise Keeper

Yesterday we had a birthday celebration for Dave and our youngest daughter at our oldest daughter’s home. It was a beautiful day to be in the swimming pool.

There was every pool toy imaginable, including an inflatable rubber duckie. Only one adult made the unsuccessful attempt to get on. It was definitely more suited for little bodies. All three of the littlest grandkids floated on it, across the pool and back. At first, there were tears, loud objections and much coaxing involved. Our grandson wanted nothing to do with it until we started cheering for his little sister and then he made his second attempt which was accompanied by big smiles and giggles.

When he finally got off I heard our oldest daughter tell him. “I want you to always remember, I will never have you do anything that will hurt you. It might be something new, something that makes you nervous and even a little scary but I will never have you do anything that will hurt you. I promise!”

Those words rang out in my heart. “I will never have you do something that will hurt you, I promise!”

Somebody needs to hear that this morning.

“All of God’s promises have their yes in him. That is why we say Amen through him to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 1:20

When God makes a promise, He keeps it because simply put, God cannot lie. Don’t be afraid. Our Father is a promise keeper, He won’t have us do anything that will hurt us

I will ask again, what promise has God made you?

“Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Philippians 4:13 CEV

“My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 ERV

“I, the Lord, will teach your children, and they will have real peace.” Isaiah 54:13 ERV

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue that rises up against you, you shall condemn for this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17 KJV

“With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been.3 The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick,” Psalm 103:2-3 CeV

“ Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me” John 14:1 CEV

“ A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.” John 10:10 CEV

God will keep His word; He is faithful to a thousand generations. He hasn’t lied in the past and He’s not going to start now.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! His answer is yes. Our Father is a promise keeper!

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A Favorite Lesson

A number of years ago we lived in the panhandle of Idaho. We had one particular summer that was very dry.

The catch ponds were drying up and the springs were only a trickle. One afternoon the dogs put us on alert and when we looked out our windows, this is what we saw. A cow moose had wandered into our yard with her twins in search of water. Our sprinklers were running, and they provided the much-needed water that she was seeking.

After they drank their fill, they rested in the shade of the tall pines. At first, she was very cautious, looking about after every sip but then as her calves rested quietly, she found rest herself.

The question that came to mind was “Am I thirsty for God”?

Thirsty enough to “search” outside my comfort zone? Willing to leave the familiar way of doing things and find the answers I need in God’s word?

God asked Abraham to leave his family and his homeland. Ruth left all and followed after Naomi to a new land where God blessed her with a husband and a child. Peter left his fishing nets to follow Christ. Paul gave up his prestige as a Pharisee to seek Jesus and His word.

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1-2 ERV

When we seek God, we will find Him and we will find that He gives all we need for an abundant life.

“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. 14 I will let you find me.” This message is from the LORD.” Jeremiah 29:12-14 ERV

Jesus ministered to a crowd on a hillside one day and he told them:

“Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. 8 Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them.” Matthew 7:7-11 ERV

God is loving, kind and gracious and when we seek Him we find that to be true. He put all of our punishment and judgement on Jesus so that we could have a wonderful relationship with Him.

“ I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.” II Corinthians 5:19 ERV

Someone needs to know that God isn’t mad at you!

He loves you and if you seek Him, you will find Him waiting with arms of love open wide. Seek for Him like that momma moose sought out the life-giving water – you will find all you need in Him.

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No Time Like the Present

What time is it where you are?

One thing I know is we are all in the “present”. Since we are connected through the internet it may be early morning – midday or perhaps you are reading this in the evening but whatever time it is where you are, you are in the present.

You could be in a time of trouble, a time of fear, good time, dinner time, party time, time of loneliness, time of sickness or time of concern. No matter, it is time to praise the Lord!

Why? Because He is Lord of all and Lord over all. All who trust in Him will never be ashamed!

Just so you know, all those times listed above – I’ve been there and the thing that ALWAYS brings me through is praise time! Remembering that my heavenly Father is bigger than anything here and that He has a plan for me to prosper and have good success gives me reason to praise.

“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. 2 I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. 3 Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.4 For I cried to him and he answered me! He freed me from all my fears. 5 Others too were radiant at what he did for them. Theirs was no downcast look of rejection! 6 This poor man cried to the Lord—and the Lord heard him and saved him out of his troubles. 7 For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence him.8 Oh, put God to the test and see how kind he is! See for yourself the way his mercies shower down on all who trust in him. 9 If you belong to the Lord, reverence him; for everyone who does this has everything he needs. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those of us who reverence the Lord will never lack any good thing.11 Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord.” Psalm 34:1-11 TLB

Look at the clock, see the time. Mark it down. Now is the time to look up and be glad!

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Heavenly Father Watches Over Me

Do you know that our Father loves us dearly and watches over us carefully?

Have you seen a new mother watching over her baby? She responds to every squirm and squeak. Then as the child grows, she tries to shield it from scratches or scrapes, germs or harmful things. That nurturing heart comes from Father God. This little child is part of its mother and she is committed to its welfare.

Do you think the Father cares any less for us than we do for our own children? Even when we disappoint Him, our Father is there for us. He does not and will not abandon us! As the scripture in Matthew 6 reminds us, if he sees the sparrow and the lily and cares for them how much more does He watch over and provide for us.

Where are we going today? Where have we been?

There’s no place we can go or are now that He doesn’t go with us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake, (I love that word) us. We can rest in the Father’s love. Trust Him on the freeway, at our job, in the grocery store. Trust Him with our broken heart and our weary body. Trust Him with our finances, with our spouse and children. He is faithful!

“You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me. 2 You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts. 3 You notice everything I do and everywhere I go. 4 Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, 5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side. 6 I can’t understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me. 7 Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight? 8 If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there. 9 Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean. 10 Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me. 11 Or suppose I said, ‘I’ll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over.’ 12 But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you. 13 You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body, 14 and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. 15 Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below, 16 but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do. 17 Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine. 18 I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.” Psalm 139:1-18 CEV

We are not alone – our Father is always watching over us with care!

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Words, Words, Words

Yesterday morning Dave and I took an early morning flight to visit our son and his girlfriend. The people in the airport were so happy to have the choice of wearing or not wearing a mask. (I promise I won’t get political) Even the flight attendants were remarking that it was so good to see people’s faces.

Anyone who has flown knows that every flight starts with the safety instructions before the plane leaves the terminal.

Honestly, how many of us listen to their instructions? After a few flights, the things they are saying just become words, words, words. Only half of the passengers are even looking up to see their demonstration. However, the intent is for us to be as safe as possible should an emergency arise.

I think that’s how some people feel about sermons or reading the Bible. It just becomes words, words, words. After a while, they tune them out.

This morning I want to change our thinking just a little. Consider this, the Bible is a love letter. It was written by the Father to His children. His intent is to convey His love and all the wonderful blessings He has for us to inherit.

The Father is taking time to reveal the depth of His heart.

When God speaks He doesn’t waste words. Each word is filled with life changing meaning. Each story is packed with power. Each thought is a gift from God’s heart to our lives. It’s not just instruction for “in case of an emergency” but it is loving provision for every day of our lives.

“Praise the Lord! He is good.
    God’s love never fails.
2 Praise the God of all gods.
    God’s love never fails.
3 Praise the Lord of lords.
    God’s love never fails.

4 Only God works great miracles.
    God’s love never fails.
5 With wisdom he made the sky.
    God’s love never fails.
6 The Lord stretched the earth
over the ocean.
    God’s love never fails.
7 He made the bright lights
in the sky.
    God’s love never fails.
8 He lets the sun rule each day.
    God’s love never fails.
9 He lets the moon and the stars
rule each night.
    God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:1-9, 232-26 ERV

Everything God does is to show us His love – the sea, the stars, the sun, the land, provision, health, protection – they are all indicators of God’s amazing love! And that love never fails!

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“P’s” in a Pod

One of the things our grandchildren enjoy doing when they come is filling the bird feeder. Then they sit back, quietly, and watch for the birds come.

On one of their visits we ran out of bird seed. It was then they discovered the seeds which were in the pods which fell from the Palo Verde trees. They would crack the pods and save the seeds for Pappy, Dave, to put in the bird feeder. On Friday, they introduced this discovery to their two-year-old sister.

Who knew looking for seeds in a pod could be so much fun?

This morning in my Bible reading I felt like my three littlest grandchildren. I was discovering, or rediscovering, the p’s in the pod of God’s word. I would like to share with you what I found.

  • Power – “God is able to do much more than we ask or think through His power working in us.” Ephesians 3:20 NLV
  • Peace – “The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NLV
  • Provision – “The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need.” Psalms 23:1 NLV
  • Protection – “ I will say to the Lord, “You are my safe and strong place, my God, in Whom I trust.” Psalms 91:2 NLV
  • Praise – “ Praise Him for His great works! Praise Him for all His greatness!” Psalm 150:2 NLV
  • Purpose – “He is the One Who saved us from the punishment of sin. He is the One Who chose us to do His work. It is not because of anything we have done. But it was His plan from the beginning that He would give us His loving-favor through Christ Jesus.” II Timothy 1:9 NLV

I started thanking the Lord for the wonderful blessings of His word and it seemed that each new thing I was thanking Him for began with a p. It caused my heart to chuckle, much like the laughter I heard from our grandchildren as they discovered more and more pods to break open.

I hope I never lose the excitement of opening God’s word and finding these little treasures. I also hope this is an encouragement for you, keep looking for the Father’s promises.

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When I Consider

As you sit alone with nothing but your thoughts what do you consider?

Maybe your life is so busy that you are never alone with just your thoughts. Please stop, just for the next few minutes and consider.

Consider this. God who made heaven and earth loves you!

“Lord our Lord, your name is the most wonderful in all the earth!
    It brings you praise everywhere in heaven.

2 From the mouths of children and babies come songs of praise to you.
    They sing of your power to silence your enemies who were seeking revenge.

3 I look at the heavens you made with your hands.
    I see the moon and the stars you created.
4 And I wonder, “Why are people so important to you?
    Why do you even think about them?
Why do you care so much about humans?
    Why do you even notice them?”

5 But you made them almost like gods
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You put them in charge of everything you made.
    You put everything under their control.
7 People rule over the sheep and cattle and all the wild animals.
8 They rule over the birds in the sky
    and the fish that swim in the sea.
9 Lord our Lord, your name is the most wonderful name in all the earth!” Psalm 8 ERV

Consider this: We were created to be like Him!

“ So God created humans in his own image. He created them to be like himself. He created them male and female. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Have many children. Fill the earth and take control of it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. Rule over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:27-28 ERV

Consider this: From the beginning of time, God, our Father, creator of heaven and earth, has filled His heart with love for us. His plan from the beginning was to have relationship with us.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. 4 In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it.” Ephesians 1:3-5 ERV

Spend time considering that God chose to make us his children and to lavish His love on us. Make sure to take time to thank Him for His amazing love!

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Did You Repeat?

Yesterday, I encouraged us all to take breaks and repeat times of praise, thanksgiving and joy for what the Lord has done. I hope you did that.

Maybe you didn’t feel you had anything to be thankful for. Well then, consider this…

“Lord our Lord, your name is the most wonderful in all the earth! It brings you praise everywhere in heaven. 2 From the mouths of children and babies come songs of praise to you. They sing of your power to silence your enemies who were seeking revenge. 3 I look (consider) at the heavens you made with your hands. I see the moon and the stars you created. 4 And I wonder, “Why are people so important to you? Why do you even think about them? Why do you care so much about humans? Why do you even notice them?” 5 But you made them almost like gods and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You put them in charge of everything you made. You put everything under their control. 7 People rule over the sheep and cattle and all the wild animals. 8 They rule over the birds in the sky and the fish that swim in the sea. 9 Lord our Lord, your name is the most wonderful name in all the earth!” Psalm 8 ERV

This psalm could have been a conversation between me and the Father. Me asking why I was so important to Him; He made the stars and the universe, why does He care about me?

We should never get so busy considering other things that we forget to consider God and His promises.

“Jesus said to his followers, ‘So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat or what you will wear. 23 Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 24 Look (consider) at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in houses or barns, but God feeds them. And you are worth much more than crows. 25 None of you can add any time to your life by worrying about it. 26 And if you can’t do the little things, why worry about the big things‘?

27 ‘Think (consider) about how the wildflowers grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. 28 If God makes what grows in the field so beautiful, what do you think he will do for you? That’s just grass—one day it’s alive, and the next day someone throws it into a fire. But God cares enough to make it beautiful. Surely he will do much more for you. Your faith is so small!'” Luke 12:22-28 ERV

Join me today in considering God’s greatness and His goodness. I hope you take time tonight to go out and look at the night sky. Try to count the stars. In all of eternity past they’ve been there, right on the course God designed for them.

Do you still need a reason to praise? He cares about the stars, the birds, the flowers and the grass CONSIDER how much more He cares for you!

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…And Then Repeat

You ever have one of those mornings when you get up and wonder what the day will have in store? You’re wondering if you will have the strength to face it – will you have the answer for the day’s questions – in yourself you feel weak?

Here is the reality of our relationship with the Lord.

Each morning get up and thank the Father for His mighty acts; for His strength, peace, joy and His abundant wisdom. It’s not all about me – it’s about Him! My biggest challenge is to stay focused.

“Praise the Lord, because he is good! His faithful love will last forever! 2 Everyone the Lord has saved should repeat that word of thanks. Praise him, all who have been rescued from the enemy.” Psalm 107:1-2 ERV

Praise the Lord for His goodness and then repeat the praise.

“Thank the Lord for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people. 9 He satisfies those who are thirsty. He fills those who are hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9 ERV

Thank the Lord for His love and all He does on our behalf and then repeat.

“He gave the command and healed them, so they were saved from the grave. 21 Thank the Lord for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people. 22 Offer sacrifices of thanks to him. Sing with joy about all that he has done.” Psalm 107:20-22 ERV

“Whoever is wise will remember these things and begin to understand the Lord’s faithful love.” Psalm 107:43 ERV

Sing a song of joy for all He’s done and then repeat. Praise, thank, sing and then repeat!

Throughout the day take “Praise Breaks”. It will certainly be more helpful than a coffee break. Praise reminds us of the Lord’s faithful love!

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Each New Day

Every day we have the opportunity to continue on the path of the previous day or to begin anew. Honestly, many days I am thankful for the opportunities to start over.

My hobbies include knitting, baking and gardening. They have taught me it’s ok to start over. Some knitting projects haven’t worked out the way the pattern indicated they would – I’ve ripped out rows and rows of stitches and with a couple of them I have started over with a completely new pattern that works better.

I’ve experimented with recipes in the kitchen that I won’t be repeating. I’ve made breads that didn’t rise and the whole batch had to be scrapped and I’ve started over. There’s no shame in that; it’s a learning experience.

Living in different climates my enthusiasm for gardening has also had some do-overs. Some plants thrived during the milder summers but couldn’t survive the frosty winters. So Spring was a time to prune and pull up and start over.

Life also challenges us to start over. New career, city, friends, relationships, financial plans, educational training, physical well-being can all lead to us on a path of beginning again. Sometimes we can get overwhelmed, and feelings of insecurity and failure try to take over.

One thing I am confident of is that God is the God of the second chance.

“We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends.23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my God, and I trust him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 ERV

We go to bed at night, heavy-hearted, because we have failed in some way or another. We had displayed an attitude that we thought we had conquered; we harbor a grudge or fail to resist a temptation that we swore we would never do again.

And then comes the promise of a new day. We can live with regret, wallow in our past mistakes or we can begin again trusting in God’s amazing love.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning.24 Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Yes, I know I repeated the same verses…and I would like you to read them again, and again, and again. The Lord’s kindness NEVER fails! His mercy is new EVERY morning!

“I was in trouble, so I called to the Lord for help. The Lord answered and made me free.
6 The Lord is with me, so I will not be afraid. No one on earth can do anything to harm me.
7 The Lord is my helper.” Psalm 118:5-7 ERV

Today is a new day filled with new hope; new mercy and grace; new strength. It’s time to begin again!

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