Category: Psalms

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Lessons in Your Closet

It’s so strange what’s on my mind this morning. I’m thinking about my closet and in particular the hangers. Now before you assume I am going to talk to you about cleaning out your closet, let me put your mind at ease. I’m not.

Our closet has two kinds of hangers. Dark and light. The light ones are for my clothes and the darker ones are for Dave’s. When I take shirts and pants out of the dryer the hangers are there in the laundry room and it makes it simple to grab the right ones. I know that everything will have a hanger when I do it that way. I guess there’s a bit of OCD there, however, that’s not what I wanted to talk about.

I wanted to talk about the way the hangers are placed on the rod. They should all be going the same direction. The hook should go over the top of the rod, facing to the back of the closet. If they don’t, they get all tangled and the clothes get jammed in and wrinkled. It’s very frustrating, to me anyway. And if I see backward hangers I have to turn them correctly before I close the closet door.

Those hangers are like our thoughts. Sometimes, our thoughts get backwards and it throws our perspective off. It takes the order out of our thinking and creates confusion. Just one or two misplaced thoughts can ruin an entire day.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 NLT

When we commit our plans, our thoughts, to the Lord He will lead us and our path will be right, even if we fall He will lift us up and provide us with strength.

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. 25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.” Psalm 37:23-25 NLT

Let’s take time to examine our thoughts today. Is there something out of order? God will show us how to correct our thinking; get everything going the right way – His way! That’s the best.


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My Favorite Place To Be

Where is your favorite place to be?

Dave and I spent quite a bit of time watching YouTube videos of people who RV full time. It gives us a great perspective on different areas of the country and helps us with our “wish list” of places we would like to travel. We were telling our neighbors about the place I refer to as my favorite place, Virgin River Recreation Area. It’s located on the border of Utah, Nevada and Arizona. It’s gorgeous! The rock formations are absolutely beautiful. After talking about it for several months, they booked a trip for the end of the month. Dave and I plan to go in March sometime.

However, when I really began to consider my favorite place or places this wasn’t it.

“You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

My favorite places to be are in contentment, relaxation, peace, safety – in the presence of the Lord! The list of places I desire to travel will lose their appeal and the experience of being there will be lacking if I’m not focused on His presence.

“The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.” Psalm 27:4-5 NLT

Each day can be the most wonderful vacation spot when we focus on the Lord’s presence. King David said that life can be like a green pasture and a quiet stream when we let the Lord lead us.

Where will you go today? Make it a place where you recognize God’s presence and then you will be filled with joy!

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Fear Not!

Here we are only a few days into this new year and I am sure that some of you have had to face circumstances or situations that are less than favorable. Some may have even received bad news that left you reeling. This isn’t God’s design or plan for you. His word is very plain – fear not!

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” Psalm 23:4 NLT

Like a good shepherd, Jesus walks with us through the darkest times and He brings protection and comfort where our enemies would like to infuse fear and unrest.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT

God, our Father, is loving and gracious. Any situation that we face doesn’t surprise Him; He has seen it coming and He has the answer. We need to press in to Him and let Him show us what it is.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,  all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

To have our thoughts fixed on the Lord is to be focused on Him. It’s like looking through the lens of a camera, everything on the peripheral blurs while we concentrate solely on what’s right before us. Look at every detail of the Father’s character, see His wisdom, His love and compassion. See His words of promise and stay in a place of peace.

Our emotions and imaginations can lead us down the path of “what if’s” if we allow them too. That’s why it’s so important to keep our minds filled with God’s word. When God makes a promise He keeps it.

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT

Give any worry or fear over to the Lord. Let Him carry the load and fear not!

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” I Peter 5:7 NLT

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Heart & Purpose

Christmas night we sat around wondering what to do. We were ready to relax and not in the mood for playing games. My future grandson suggested we watch a movie; not your traditional Christmas time movie but a new movie that Disney had recently released, Togo. Willem Dafoe is cast in the starring role and his co-star is a beautiful and intelligent sled dog.

Disney tells the story of Togo, a sled dog, who was all heart. He ran with purpose. From the time he was a pup all he wanted to do was run. No matter how many obstacles were placed before him he found a way to run. (Now I won’t divulge the whole story but I will tell you, you won’t be disappointed if you take the time to watch it.)

This dog instinctively had one purpose – to run and he did it with all his heart.

Last night as I was sitting on the couch those two words, heart and purpose, settled in my thinking. I was reminded of three Scripture verses.

“I ask only one thing, Lord: Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are and to pray in your temple. 5 In times of trouble, you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock.” Psalm 27:4-5 CEV

“The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, 42 but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 CEV

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:12-14 NLT

King David, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and the Apostle Paul all had their hearts set on “one thing”. They had purpose.

As we come to the start of a new year I am more determined than ever to live my life focused on God’s purpose. I want to life and love with my whole heart the way the Lord wants me to. I want my life to be free from criticism, bitterness, judgement of others – these will distract me from my purpose and cause me to get off course.

I choose to live guided by God’s word and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Then, and only then, will I follow the example of Christ and imitate the character of God, the Father. I say with the Apostle Paul I haven’t attained it yet but I forget my past failures and look ahead and press on.

Join me? Let’s live focused on one thing – a life with purpose and heart.

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Coming to An End

This year I have been following a regimented plan of reading through the Bible in one year. I’ve read the Bible through many, many times but this is the first time that I have been on a designed reading plan. Each morning the unread pages decrease and my excitement increases.

There are particular themes of continuity that run from Genesis to Revelation. These are just a few that come to mind; forgiveness, restoration, relationship (salvation), God’s goodness and love, provision, protection, joy and peace.

Amazing – God’s word is amazing! It has stood the test of time and though many have tried to destroy it, no one has

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise,
then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

The verse above is my favorite in the Bible. If that one verse isn’t true how can I possibly have confidence that any of the others are true. And since it is true, I can believe all the rest of the Bible. I can know, really know, that God’s word will sustain me all my days and that it will also be a source of truth and light for my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” Psalm 139:17-18 NLT

It’s so encouraging to know that God spends His time thinking about me. Planning what’s best and protecting me through the storms.

“Don’t be discouraged or grow weak from fear! 17 The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.” Zephaniah 3:16-17 CEV

As the year comes to “The End” and I read the last chapters of the Old Testament I have great anticipation for 2020. I will begin to read the familiar stories again. I will learn more and find that God continues to be just who He said He is.

“This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be “Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” 7 His power will continue to grow, and there will be peace without end. This will establish him as the king sitting on David’s throne and ruling his kingdom. He will rule with goodness and justice forever and ever. The strong love that the Lord All-Powerful has for his people will make this happen!” Isaiah 9:6-7 ERV

He is all I need – The End!

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Do You Believe?

What do you believe? Is your belief based on self-exploration, science, hearsay, and/or personal experience? Or is your belief based on faith?

Long before Edison and Franklin, electricity existed. Before Marconi, radio ways filled the air. Before Newton, there was gravity. There was something that each of these men saw which caused them to dream, to explore and to invent.

The same holds true in our relationship with God.

Religion tells us that we must work to earn God’s favor or his kindness and love but God’s word tells us something different. The Apostle Paul tells us that it’s the goodness of God that draws us to Him. We can see in ourselves and those around us that there is failure, selfishness, greed, misguided ambition, deceit – sin and that we fall short on our own. Through the pages of God’s word we see many examples of God’s unconditional love and our search leads us to Him.

“Jesus said, “Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!” 30 Jesus worked many other miracles for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life.” John 20:29-31 ERV

The signs, the miracles, the daily works of Jesus are so extensive that they couldn’t all be written down. The purpose of His works were to bring us to a place where we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God and that we can have life through Him.

It’s not like believing in Santa or the tooth fairy or the Easter bunny. Our belief in a personal Savior is life changing; it is empowering; it is transforming!

“Our Lord and our God, you are like the sun and also like a shield. You treat us with kindness and with honor, never denying any good thing to those who live right. 12 Lord God All-Powerful, you bless everyone who trusts you.” Psalm 84:11-12 CEV

It’s ok to question – God’s big enough to handle it. If we’re honest enough to ask, He’s honest enough to answer. God is patiently waiting to show us His character; He won’t force us to believe in His love and goodness or even that He exists.

Just like those inventors who searched for the answers about electricity and radio waves we will find Him when we search for Him.

“Ask, and what you are asking for will be given to you. Look, and what you are looking for you will find. Knock, and the door you are knocking on will be opened to you. 8 Everyone who asks receives what he asks for. Everyone who looks finds what he is looking for. Everyone who knocks has the door opened to him. 9 What man among you would give his son a stone if he should ask for bread?…How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?” Matthew 7:7-11 NLV

It’s not a matter of whether or not God can handle our questions, it’s can we deal honestly with His answers.

I ask again, what do you believe? Believe in God’s goodness; it will transform your life!

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Are You A Wise Man?

Would you have made a good wise man?

That’s the question I found I was asking myself this morning. Let’s examine their characteristics; they were studious, (they studied the skies looking for a sign), they were diligent, (they didn’t give up looking just because they didn’t see it right away), they were persistent, (they traveled a great distance and expended length of time to find the Christ child), they were consistent, (they weren’t distracted from their search) and they were dedicated (they committed to the task and didn’t stop until they reached their goal). Finally, they were reverent, they worshiped the Christ child and not the nation’s king.

It’s believed that the wise men’s journey took about 2 years. They found a child and not a babe. They traveled at their own expense and they brought gifts, lavish gifts, to the child. It cost them something – if they had been wrong in their search it would have cost them more than their finances, it would have cost them their reputation.

So I asked myself, what am I seeking? Oh, I have many things that I’m doing – preparing for the holidays, getting ready for company, baking and knitting but what am I seeking?

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Psalm 27:4-5 KJV

Jesus told Martha that only “one thing” was needed to her priority – hearing His word.

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 KJV

Lord, my desire is to be wise – to seek only one thing, You!

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On a Journey

Over the river and through the woods…you know the rest of the words, don’t you?

The journey of the holidays can be treacherous at times and exhilarating at others. Yesterday, we went to the grocery store. Easy enough right? The traffic has increased greatly in the last few weeks as more people are coming back to their winter homes. The parking lot that normally is half empty was now almost completely full. People were driving the wrong way in the lanes and drivers’ tempers were short.

We were glad to be home. Safe and sound. Our temperament remained joyful and I whispered a silent prayer saying thank you Lord that I don’t have to go out in that again, any time soon.

Thinking about yesterday’s trek to the store brought to mind another journey that took place in a land called Judea. A young woman, in her final weeks of pregnancy, set out on a trip of approximately one hundred miles. She traveled with the love of her life, a man named Joseph.

They had to report to the government office, along with the rest of their community, to be taxed. Not a responsibility that would have been high on my list right before my due date. But they went.

I’m sure Joseph tried to make her as comfortable as they journeyed and I’m sure she tried to make the best of it and not complain but she had to have been so weary each night.

Do you ever get weary “on your journey”? Life is hard sometimes, it just is. How do we handle it? Do we murmur and complain, thinking God has completely forgotten about us or do we trust and draw close to Him ? In His presence we will find comfort and joy!

“I look up to the mountains—  does my help come from there?2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth !3 He will not let you stumble;  the one who watches over you will not slumber. 4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. 5 The Lord himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. 6 The sun will not harm you by day,  nor the moon at night. 7 The Lord keeps you from all harm  and watches over your life. 8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,  both now and forever.Psalm 121 NLT

Do you think Mary knew these verses? If she did, I’m sure they brought her strength, knowing that the Lord had promised to keep her from harm.

Trust the Lord with your journey – it may just be a trip to the grocery store or it may be a trip that will change your life and that of your families. Our heavenly Father won’t abandon us.

Enjoy the journey!

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The Joy of Relationship

Pictures of little ones are starting to appear on social media. They are dressed in cute little outfits of red and green and their eyes are sparkling as they stare at big boxes wrapped with glittering ribbon.

There’s just something about kids and Christmas. If we’re honest Christmas brings out the kid in all of us and I’m sure that makes God, the Father, smile. He loves to see His kids having a good time just as much as we enjoy watching our children and grandchildren.

The little ones in our lives are an amazing example of our life with the Father. Each week there seems to be a new milestone. Something new to celebrate; a giggle, a smile, a word, a step.

We laugh, we do something cute, we cuddle in His lap, we learn to say His name – all these milestones He records. All these things mean we are spending time with Him.

He loves to spend time with us!

He wipes our tears when we need to be comforted and He rocks us to sleep when we’re tired. He is focused on us because He loves us!

Yes, it’s a special time for the Father and for us. Time to build relationship.

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered.” Psalm 40:5

“We love Him because He loved us first.” I John 4:19 NLV

Think of all the things in your life that you consider wonderful. God was there, enjoying every moment with us. He is the very essence of love. He is WONDERFUL!

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A Hand to Hold

A week or so back we were talking with friends about memories we have made since moving into our Arizona home. So many good times, so many good friends. One memory in particular came to mind.

About three years ago, our youngest daughter and her family had come to visit for the weekend. Sam, our grandson, was about 15 months old. I was in the kitchen cooking and his parents and Pappy were outside on the patio. He stood at the door waiting for someone to let him out but no one came. Sam had been watching our dog, Glory, go in and out the doggie door so he crawled over to it and tried to go through.

He got stuck, high centered in fact. The outside patio is considerably lower than the kitchen floor and as he went through the door, his hands went down to the patio but his feet in the kitchen came up and he no longer had any traction to move himself forward.

I was laughing almost uncontrollably. His Mom saw what was happening and she came to his rescue by offering him a hand to hold, a hand to help.

There are so many of us like little Sam. We just need a helping hand. Sometimes life gives us what seems to be insurmountable obstacles. Our own efforts lack the ability to bring us through successfully. We need a hand to hold.

“For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you,  ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NLT

I have heard the Lord whisper those same words of encouragement to my heart in times of struggle. “Just take my hand”.

“You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me,  your help has made me great. 36 You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.” Psalm 18:35-36 NLT

During this time of year, there are so many around us who need a helping hand. They need to know that whatever obstacle, situation, or heart ache they face they aren’t in it alone. They need to know there is a hand to hold. Jesus said when we help the least of those around us we are reaching out as if He were the one in need.

Extend a hand to someone in need. It may be the best gift they receive.

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