Category: Psalms

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Hills Make A Difference

The weather has been perfect lately so Dave and I have been out walking. Monday we took a 3.1 mile walk out on BLM land. The dirt road had a few potholes in it from the rain but it was flat. Yesterday our walk was a bit more strenuous and a little bit shorter. It was 2.7 miles but went down into the canyon and back up three different times. It took a little longer than Monday’s walk and we were certainly more tired and sweaty when we got home. (Today’s image is our last descent into the canyon and the road out in is the background.)

The hills make a difference.

They make a difference in life as well. Just ask the cancer survivor or the one whose spouse has died. Talk to the parent who has lost their job or the business owner who has had to file bankruptcy. Their daily lives before these hills/mountains sprang up may have been tiring but it doesn’t compare to the struggle up this mountainside.

I think this was King David’s point of view when he wrote: “I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. 3-4 He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep. 5-6 God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you— Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke. 7-8 God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.” Psalm 121 MSG

The mountains don’t provide our strength, they drain it. It is God, who walks beside us, that provides us with strength. Life isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. It can be both exhilarating and exhausting but we keep going. We’re not in it alone. He guards us now, He guards us always.

The Apostle Paul said: “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Philippians 3:12-14 MSG

These are good words – don’t turn back.

The last hill out of our canyon is always the toughest. It’s a long steady incline. I’ve walked it many times in the last six years. The only way home is up. One step at a time; muscles aching and breathing hard we make it to the top. Next time it won’t be as bad, we’ll be in better shape, we’ll be more prepared.

Little victories prepare us for bigger challenges. As we acknowledge God’s faithfulness in the smaller areas of our life we grow in faith and are able to face the larger circumstances with confidence.

The Bible is filled with examples of people who faced physical and spiritual trials. I think of a widow woman who was living through a three year famine. She only had a little oil and flour left, everything was gone including her hope. She decided to make one last cake for herself and her son to eat. Then she was prepared to die. BUT GOD…sent a prophet with a miracle. Here’s her mountain, the prophet asked her to give him the cake she made.

Her dilemma, her hill – give the cake to the prophet or her son. She gave it to the prophet and that’s when the miracle came – her oil jar never ran dry and her flour canister never went empty. These are the testimonies we can hold on to in difficult times.

“We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. 2 We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:1-3 ERV

This is a mandate for us. Don’t quit, keep our eyes on Jesus. When the mountains and the hills are before us, God is beside us!

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We Need Bigger Buts

We spent most of yesterday in the dermatologist’s office. I knew we would be a while so I took my Bible, a book and my ear buds. There were some video messages I want to catch up on. Two of my favorite Bible teachers, Andrew Wommack and Max Lucado, had sent out short teachings and I really wanted to hear what they had to say.

The one that Max Lucado sent reminded me of a message I have taught many times through the years and so this morning I am sharing it with you.

We need bigger buts!

Yes, you read that right. The word “But” is used to connect ideas that contrast. The world presents us with facts but God’s word gives us truth. Truth can and will alter the way we perceive the facts. That’s why we swear an oath in court to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Let’s look at what the Apostle Paul says about adverse circumstances:

“God once said, “Let light shine out of the darkness!” And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts to let us know that his own divine greatness is seen in the face of Christ.

7 We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us. 8 We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. 9 We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4:6-9 ERV (emphasis mine)

Paul had some pretty big buts in those four verses. The circumstances he faced were life threatening – stoning, ship wreck, beatings, imprisonment, snake bites. BUT he knew God would never abandon him.

*Our world is in the midst of a viral crisis BUT God…heals all my diseases (Ps. 103:3 NLT)

*Finances may be effected BUT My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 ERV)

*Physical strength has come to an end and we don’t think we can go on BUT Christ gives me the strength to face anything. (Philippians 4:13 CEV)

*We’re scared and don’t know what to do BUT God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you. 4 So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah you have a place of safety forever. (Isaiah 26:3-4 ERV)

There is absolutely nothing that we will face in this life that God hasn’t given us an answer for. This is one time when it’s appropriate to say “does this crisis make my but look big?”.

The bigger, the better!

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Monsters Under the Bed

Remember when we were little and thought there might be monsters under the bed? As a child, I was plagued with nightmares. The monsters seemed so real; I was afraid to go to sleep and would wake up crying. Mom would show me that I had nothing to be afraid of.

In this day of corona virus, social distancing, limited groceries and all the mayhem that is loose in our world, living in the power of God’s Word is such a comfort and place of safety. It exposes the monsters that are lurking in the shadows and brings them out into the light.

“For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.” Psalm 91:3-6 AMP

The way I see it, the Lord promises to protect us from hidden peril – from the things we cannot see. A bird doesn’t see the trap until it’s caught; plagues come without advance warning. He also protects from disasters that can be seen.

The picture in verse 4 is that of a mother hen or bird that sets herself down over the top of her chicks to protect them from danger. She risks her own life and cuddles her young under her wings. Isn’t that what Jesus did for us? He gave His own life to protect us from the ravages of sin and its effects.

“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? ” Romans 8:31-35 MSG

No matter what time of day or night, the Lord promises to be there and be our protection. When our children were little, Dave and I would pray with them and over them each morning before they headed out to school. We would pray these verses over them then and we still do. Now we’ve added their spouses, our grandchildren and great grandchild.

We have traveled hundreds of thousands of miles, literally, in our vehicle without ever having an accident. We’ve been in the presence of danger many times and not even known it until later and then we saw how God’s hand protected us.

We can take these verses as our own and use them to bring a covering of protection for our families as well. God’s word is true; He does not lie!

It doesn’t just come automatically though, we have to appropriate it – we have to believe it. Compare it to the electricity that comes into our homes; it’s there but we will sit in the dark and the cold unless we turn on the switch and put the power to work.

Turn on the switch in prayer and watch the power of God work in our lives!

Let me end with this. God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours – His plan of protection is better than ours. As the rain is higher than the earth and comes down to cover the earth; God’s ways are higher than our thinking and He rains down His protection to cover us.

“Rain and snow fall from the sky and don’t return until they have watered the ground.
Then the ground causes the plants to sprout and grow, and they produce seeds for the farmer and food for people to eat. 11 In the same way, my words leave my mouth, and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do. 12 ‘So you will go out from there with joy. You will be led out in peace…'” Isaiah 55: 10-12 ERV

God’s word will cause our lives to bring in a crop of good fruit – it will cause us to prosper and our lives to be filled with joy and peace. God’s word will drive out fear – no more monsters under the bed!

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Through The Valley

I was unable to sleep, so I got up and came to my office to pray. My prayer time isn’t formal or structured, it’s just me talking to the Lord, telling Him what’s on my heart and sitting quietly. He fills my heart with peace and my mind with examples of His love and His word. I prayed for all who will read this blog this morning; I know many are anxious and even fearful.

Just a while ago my thoughts were filled with this phrase, “through the valley”. Through the valley?

Through the valley!

“You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod
 makes me feel safe.” Psalm 23:3-4 CEV

Most of us would choose to go around the valley instead of through it. That seems to be the right tactical move. Take the high road and not give our enemies an opportunity to ambush us. Through the valley seems risky.

If we trust the Lord there will be times when we don’t understand why He is leading us through the valley but we can be assured that He will always lead us along the right path. And when He is leading we don’t need to be afraid.

When our older children were little and we were teaching them to swim we had a real struggle getting them to jump from the side of the pool into David’s arms. They had no problem wrapping their arms around our necks and floating out to the deep from the shallow and they didn’t mind sitting down on the side and sliding into our arms but jumping in was something entirely different. It took a lot of coaxing and a promise that we wouldn’t let anything happen to them before they were convinced that it would be ok. They had to go through that valley and they learned to trust us.

We are all going through a valley right now. It’s a time of uncertainty. The most important thing for us to see is that we are not alone. God is here with us, leading us through and we don’t have to be afraid. We can be at peace in even the worst circumstances.

Jesus said: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

This is the prayer I prayed for you this morning: “Father, in the name of Jesus, I bring all who are reading this to You. Calm their fears, fill them with Your peace – peace of mind and heart. Let them see that they can trust You to lead them through this valley. Give them confidence that You won’t abandon them or leave them on their own. I don’t only pray this for them but I also pray for all those they hold dear. We trust You to be our protection. Thank you loving Father. Amen!”

“This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” Psalm 91:2 NLT

He will lead us through the valley!

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Choose Joy & Pray

Our President has called today, March 15, as a National Day of Prayer. I whole heartedly concur. Pastors all across our nation will be leading their members in a time of prayer, either in small church gatherings or on-line. What a great way to spend the day!

Last night, we watched our pastor on-line, heard a wonderful message from God’s word and joined in prayer. Today I know I will find myself listening to other pastors and joining my heart with those who are listening.

Over the last few days I have found many places where God’s word encourages us during times of trouble.

“He will protect me when I am in danger.  He will hide me in his tent. He will take me up to his place of safety. 6 If he will help me defeat the enemies around me, I will offer sacrifices in his tent with shouts of joy. I will sing and play songs to honor the Lord.” Psalm 27:5-6 ERV

“The Lord watches over his followers, those who wait for him to show his faithful love.
19 He saves them from death.  He gives them strength when they are hungry. 20 So we will wait for the Lord. He helps us and protects us. 21 He makes us happy.  We trust his holy name. 22 Lord, we worship you, so show your great love for us.” Psalm 33:18-22 ERV

“I went to the Lord for help, and he listened. He saved me from all that I fear. 5 If you look to him for help, he will put a smile on your face. You will have no need to be ashamed. 6 As a poor, helpless man I prayed to the Lord,  and he heard me. He saved me from all my troubles. 7 The Lord’s angel builds a camp around his followers,  and he protects them. 8 Give the Lord a chance to show you how good he is. Great blessings belong to those who depend on him!” Psalm 34:4-8 ERV

Did you notice these words in those verses – Joy – Happy – Smile? When we are trusting God we can have joy in even the worst circumstances. I have one more verse to share with you before I close.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine,  but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Proverbs 17:22 NLT

Today is a good day for taking the medicine of a cheerful heart! Open wide, swallow big and repeat as often as needed. No adverse side effects.

Trust God! Choose Joy! Pray!

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Spilling Over

My mother always enjoys telling my adult children stories of their childhood. Mom was with us for two weeks in February and our son came to visit one weekend. One of the stories she told was about him pouring milk into a bowl of rice crispies. He added the milk too quickly and of course, the cereal came up over the edge of the bowl and out on to the table.

We had a good laugh. Memories are good!

That image and one of a coffee cup being filled to overflowing is what I imagine each time I read a verse in Psalm 23. Yes, there are still lessons to learn or be reminded of from that short Psalm.

“You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life…” Psalm 23:5-6 CEV

Yesterday, I hope you were able to get an understanding of the elegant banqueting table the Lord has set for us, right in the presence of our enemies. And today, I want you to see how the Lord lavishes us with His love and protection. While we sit, feasting at this table, the Lord comes and fills our cups to overflowing.

He isn’t the least bit bothered by what we would consider a mess that is being made on the table top. To Him, it is an overflowing expression of His provision of goodness and mercy.

Run the cup over, let it flood and even spill to the floor. Let those sitting at the table be awash in His love!

“For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our sins, sending them away, completely letting them go forever and ever]; And abundant in lovingkindness and overflowing in mercy to all those who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5 AMP

God has a surplus of everything we need but He’s never wasteful. God, is a God of overflow.

We should follow His example. Our lives should be abundantly overflowing with love, understanding, forgiveness, mercy, grace and joy. Those around us are drowning in fear, panic, worry and turmoil. Let’s share with them from our abounding, cup-running-over supply.

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 NLT

I hope we “spill over” with God’s goodness today. Those around us need to be flooded with good.

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Protection From Above

A few days back I asked if you enjoyed the quiet of peaceful streams or the loud noise of battle? Some of you made comment that you like the quiet where there seems to be no drama.

Me too!

The verses I used to paint the pastoral scene of rest came from Psalm 23, better known to many as the Shepherd’s Psalm. Even people who don’t know much about the Bible seem to know a little a bit of the 23rd Psalm and a few lines from the Lord’s Prayer.

Did you realize that the Shepherd’s Psalm is filled with danger?

“I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me,
 and your shepherd’s rod[a] makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows.
6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23:4-6 CEV

There it is – valleys dark as death, filled with danger but as footnote [a] tells us we are kept safe by the shepherd’s rod. “23.4 shepherd’s rod: The Hebrew text mentions two objects carried by the shepherd: a club to defend against wild animals and a long pole to guide and control the sheep.”

Each day as we follow the good Shepherd’s lead we will experience restoration. He will restore us to strength and brings refreshing. He will lead us on the right path – place us in right standing with Him, not because we are deserving in our own efforts but because He is righteous and He gives His righteousness to us.

The shepherd’s rod would beat those wild animals who attacked and his staff would gently nudge the sheep back on the trail where it is safe. Our Shepherd does the same. He defeated every enemy that we will ever face and when we listen to His voice, we will feel the gentle nudging to keep us in a place of safety.

And then it’s time for the party! A banquet! The best linen, silver and china. Gourmet appetizers and entrées and no one is allowed to disturb or upset the ambiance of the meal. Jesus sees to it that there are no unwanted, uninvited guests!

Fear, greed, selfishness, low self-esteem, danger or destruction are NOT allowed to interrupt. God’s love and kindness are ever present and everlasting. Then when this life is over we will have the joy of living in the Father’s house forever.

Jesus protects and guides those that are his own. Today, there may be circumstances that try to cause you to fear but remember, He is with you to protect, guide and comfort, to restore and refresh.

Come through the dark valley to the banquet table. Dinner is waiting!

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A Sound Mind

I just figured we could all use some encouragement from God’s word today on not becoming fearful or irrational. And if this message isn’t for you personally, maybe it’s for you to share with a co-worker, family member, neighbor or friend.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 KJV

“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 CEV

These are the same verse taken from different translations. I think you get the point, God wants us to put our trust in Him instead of giving place to fear.

The word “sound” is used as an adjective in this verse. Here is the definition I found: in good condition; not damaged, injured, or diseased. This is a word that is often used when referring to the physical condition of a horse. He’s sound – that means he’s in good shape, nothing wrong, strong.

We need some good sound thinking and there’s no better place to find it than in God’s word. We need to do the practical things that are being recommended to prevent the spread of this virus – washing our hands, staying home when we’re sick, etc. This is good personal hygiene and we should have been doing this all along. But God doesn’t want us being overcome by fear. That’s not His plan.

“You trust in the Lord for protection. You have made God Most High your place of safety. 10 So nothing bad will happen to you.  No diseases will come near your home.
11 He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.” Psalm 91:9-11 ERV

Use wisdom. Use knowledge. Be safe and free from fear!

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Do You Prefer Loud or Quiet?

Yesterday we drove up to Phoenix for the NASCAR race. Dave and I are both big fans; he more than me but I do enjoy the races. Go Kevin!

It’s impossible to be at the track and not use ear protection without causing possible damage to your hearing. It’s loud! Even in the concourse of the stadium the roar of the engines is overwhelming…

But this morning all is quiet. I hear the hum of the refrigerator and the cycling on and off of the coffee maker but that’s about it. Quiet!

Would we really enjoy the quiet if things didn’t get a bit noisy from time to time? I think we need the contrast.

I did a search on the word “loud” in the King James Bible. It occurs 76 times. Most of the references are in one book, Revelation. Twenty-two specific verses use loud; most of them refer to loud voices praising God or calling for us to praise the Lord and recognize His majesty. Other references tell of using a loud voice or shout in battle. One incident that is repeated in the Gospels is when Jesus cried out “It is finished”. The voice of triumphant!

Loud intensifies a situation. When we listen to an orchestra and the music comes to a crescendo, it heightens our anticipation. When it’s quiet we become more tranquil, calm and find a sense of rest. We need both!

If life has been pushing you forward, demanding more of you than normal, then you may need the quiet.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” Psalm 23:1-3 NLT

But perhaps you are in a place where you need to take charge and battle through like a good soldier. If so, it might be time for a loud shot, the shout of triumph.

“Gideon said, “When we get to the enemy camp, spread out and surround it. Then wait for me to blow a signal on my trumpet. As soon as you hear it, blow your trumpets and shout, ‘Fight for the Lord! Fight for Gideon!’” Judges 7:17 CEV

Wherever God leads He will provide – by a quiet stream or through a dark valley – we have His promise that we can be free from fear. Shout the victory and then lay down to rest and be restored!

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What Is Sacrifice?

This morning we will have an interactive blog posting. I will ask you a couple of questions and hopefully you will answer. Of course I won’t be able to hear those answers unless you post them as comments but answer them in your heart just the same.

The definition of the word sacrifice is this: to offer up, surrender, or suffer the loss of something. The term has been used in a number of ways; the sacrificial hit of a batter, a service member giving the ultimate sacrifice, a parent sacrifices their material and emotional needs to provide for their children. In every one of these circumstances, the person is offering up or laying down their own well-being for the needs of another.

First question: What sacrifices have you made for those you love?

I’ve recently been reading in the book of Leviticus. It’s here that Moses gives the laws of living and instructions for sacrifice to the Israelites. They are in the desert, about to go into a new land. They need instruction to properly set up their governance and life as a nation. God gives them instruction on sacrifice; the kind of animals that are acceptable, oil, bread and wine offerings too. Each sacrifice was a reminder that the Lord was their God and He would go with them and protect them.

This morning I made a discovery about praise. In the Psalms, King David asked the Lord to consider his prayer as a sacrifice.

“Lord, I call to you for help. Listen to me as I pray. Please hurry and help me! 2 Accept my prayer like a gift of burning incense, the words I lift up like an evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:1-2 ERV

Question Two: What did King David sacrifice?

He sacrificed his words. I believe, on more than one occasion, he sacrificed his words of fear, worry, and complaining to praise God for His faithfulness. Just like the Israelites, his sacrifice of words was a reminder that God was with him in all things.

Question Three: How do we offer sacrifice to the Lord and show Him our love?

“So through Jesus we should never stop offering our sacrifice to God. That sacrifice is our praise, coming from lips that speak his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with others, because sacrifices like these are very pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:15-16 ERV

Answer: We praise Him! We praise the Father that Jesus sacrificed His life for ours. We praise Him that He is in control, even when things seem to be completely out of control. We do good and share with others because God, our loving Father, has given us all we have need of and more.

The most effective form of sacrifice that we can give is praising God when we don’t feel like it and when it looks like there is nothing to be thankful for. It is then that we sacrifice our emotions and will to His safe keeping. A sacrifice of praise reminds us that God is in control and we can trust Him.

I hope you will join me and offer the Lord a sacrifice of praise.

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