Category: Psalms

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You’re Being Followed!

Have you ever had that feeling that someone is following you? It can be a bit unnerving if you are in an area that isn’t familiar to you.

God promises to see that we are followed wherever we go.

This morning I had a bit of a dilemma. I was reading the lesson of the prodigal son in Luke 15 and also reading Psalm 23 on the goodness of the Lord. Both of these Scriptures stir my heart each time I read them. I wanted to share them both. I can’t read them just once and then go on; I re-read these verses and ask “Lord, what do you want me to learn today?”

As I was praying about which Scriptures to share I kept coming back to Psalm 23.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.
2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water,
3 and you refresh my life. 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.

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 CEV

I like reading this version because it’s so personal. “You lead me”. Everything about this psalm is personal. It’s not about they or them – what they say – it’s about You and me.

Jesus is the you and I am the me!

Did you notice what it says in verse 3? You are true to your name…in the Old Testament, at different times, the Lord would tell the Israelites about the diverse attributes of His name. He is the Lord but He described Himself as our provider, our healer, our present help in times of trouble, our shepherd, our mighty God, our banner, the I AM, our peace, and the One who is always there. That’s why King David could start this psalm with “You are my shepherd. I will never be in need”. Whatever it is we need and whenever we find ourselves lacking, the Lord is there.

If I walk through dark valleys, valleys as dark as death or if I am face to face with my enemies I have no reason to fear because Jesus, my shepherd is right there with me.

His love and kindness is with me each day of my life, following me and then when my life is over I get to live in His house forever!

Love and kindness each day! In other words, words that we are more familiar with, this is translated goodness and mercy shall follow me. God doesn’t send us out on our own. He follows us with His unfailing love and infinite power of forgiveness.

There’s an obscure verse in Isaiah which tells us that God is keeping watch behind us. He protects us from a rear assault – goodness and mercy as there to be the rear guard.

“But you will not go out in a hurry. You will not leave as if you were running for your lives. For the Lord will go before you. And the God of Israel will keep watch behind you.” Isaiah 52:12 NLV

I pray you will be very aware that you are being followed today. Goodness and mercy are always there.

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Call For Assistance

We had an interesting morning yesterday. We had some errands to run in Nogales, it’s only 15 miles south of us. An easy drive. We figured to get everything done, maybe stop for lunch and then be home in a couple of hours.

It didn’t quite happen that way.

We had just gotten off the interstate and on to the surface street when the tire on the front passenger side blew! Dave was able to keep the truck under control and get us to the side of the road. Thank God it hadn’t blown a few moments earlier when we were traveling 75 mph on the freeway.

Dave got out to check the damage. The tire was shredded. It was a little more than we could deal with on our own so we called Roadside Assistance. Only the second time in all our years of driving that we’ve had to do that. Anyway…talking to someone who wasn’t familiar with the area and the names of the road at first seemed challenging and then she said “I’m sending you a link in a text, click on the link and I will be able to locate you.”

For those of you who have On-Star or other vehicle navigation locating devices this isn’t very interesting but for us, it was technology at it’s finest. Then she told us she would be contacting providers in the area and we would receive a text message as soon as someone was on the way.

We were able to stay updated on the app and knew when the driver would be arriving. There was an indicator of our vehicle on the map, along with the make and model of our truck. While we were waiting some nice people stopped and offered to help. Got to love helpful people.

We were expecting a tow truck, not that we needed to be towed but the information we received was that it was a towing company who had responded. We were surprised when a little Jetta pulled up in front of us, backed up on the shoulder, the driver jumped out in his safety reflective vest, got a jack out of his trunk and went to work.

He was such a pleasant young man. He seemed to enjoy his job and in no time at all we were ready to head down the road.

I had several Scriptures come to mind as we sat there. Dave and I both told the Lord how grateful we were for our safety and His protection.

“You can go to God Most High to hide.  You can go to God All-Powerful for protection.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.”
3 God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.” Psalm 91:1-4 ERV

“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.” Psalm 139-1-6 CEV

“Good will come to you in the city, and good will come to you in the country…6 Good will come to you when you come in, and when you go out.” Deuteronomy 28:3&6 NLV

I know the Lord is the originator of GPS tracking, God’s Protection Service. Long before On-Star He has been able to watch over all of us, His system doesn’t overload and shut down. He knows where we are!

As I said, I was expecting a tow truck but our help came in a Jetta. I love how the Lord continues to teach me each day to step outside of my preconceived ideas and just let Him work.

Before you head out today take time to thank the Lord for His protection. Let Him cover you with His wings, that is where we can safely dwell.

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Love Lasts

This morning I found myself thinking of love, true love! Yes, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.

Many people have hopes and expectations for the day and are disappointed if their “loved one” doesn’t make some grand gesture. After 46 years of celebrating Valentine’s Day with the love of my life, I can honestly say that I’m not wow-ed by flowers, jewelry, beautiful cards or a night out on the town. What sets my world spinning is being kissed each morning before my hair is combed and make up is on; having Dave fill my coffee cup because it’s empty; finding him doing the dishes or helping in some other way because he knows I’m tired and hearing him say he thinks I’m the most beautiful woman in the world for no reason at all.

Love is living everyday, looking for ways to make life brighter, more enjoyable, easing the pain and giving all! Love is seeing someone at their worst and thinking the best.

Isn’t that how God wants us to see His love?

Religion tells us we have to earn God’s love and be good enough to keep it. The Bible tells us something completely different. We can’t earn God’s love and we can’t lose it. God’s love never fails – it lasts forever.

“I pray that because of the riches of His shining-greatness, He will make you strong with power in your hearts through the Holy Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ may live in your hearts by faith. I pray that you will be filled with love. 18 I pray that you will be able to understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep His love is. 19 I pray that you will know the love of Christ. His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself.” Ephesians 3:16-19 NLV

The above verses were written by the Apostle Paul. “I pray you will KNOW the love of Christ.” As a young man, Saul, he persecuted the Christians. He had them imprisoned and even killed. Then he met the Lord, his name was changed to Paul, and he became a great missionary for Christ – telling people of God’s grace, love and forgiveness. He came to know personally the love of Christ.

I was reading Psalm 136 this morning.

“Praise the Lord because he is good. His faithful love will last forever. 2 Praise the God of gods! His faithful love will last forever. 3 Praise the Lord of lords! His faithful love will last forever. 4 Praise him who alone does wonderful miracles! His faithful love will last forever.” Psalm 136:1-4 ERV

“He took Israel out of Egypt. His faithful love will last forever.12 He used his powerful arms and strong hands. His faithful love will last forever. 13 He split the Red Sea into two parts. His faithful love will last forever. 14 He led Israel through the sea. His faithful love will last forever. 15 He drowned Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea. His faithful love will last forever. 16 He led his people through the desert. His faithful love will last forever. 17 He defeated powerful kings. His faithful love will last forever…”

Now this is how I began to read it, it’s the Kristi unauthorized version:

He gave me safety while driving on the freeway; He kept me warm during the artic vortex; He protected me when I worked with people who hated me; He provided the food I need; He heard me say those ugly things and He knew my jealous thoughts but He forgave me and His faithful love will last forever!

I encourage you to read all twenty-six verses of Psalm 136. Each verse tells us that God’s love last forever. This is the final verse in that Psalm.

“Praise God in heaven! God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:26 CEV

God, our Father, is the very essence of love. He will never fail to reach out to us! His love for us will last forever!!

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Best Part of Waking Up

What’s the first thing you want to see when you wake up?

Strange question? I look for my robe and slippers and then take Glory out of our room close the door so we don’t wake Dave and head to the back door to let her out. (I know, who let the dogs out – me)

Then I bring her back in, feed her, start the coffee, grab my Bible and my computer and sit down for my quiet time. But I guess the first thing that I see is the clock. If it’s too early I try to roll over and go back to sleep for a while.

I do take time before I get out of bed to say my I love you’s. “I love you Father, I love you Jesus, I love you Holy Spirit. Good morning.”

This morning as I was reading in the Psalms I found a comment by David at the end of Psalm 17.

“When I awake, all I want is to see you as you are.” Psalm 17:15 CEV

To see you as you are!

Psalm 17 is another one of David’s psalms of praise – thanking the Lord for being his strength, his defender, his protector, his creator. How much better would our day go if we just focused physically and spiritually on seeing God as He is?

“I pray to you, God, because you will help me. Listen and answer my prayer. 7 Show your wonderful love. Your mighty arm protects those who run to you for safety from their enemies. 8 Protect me as you would your very own eyes; hide me in the shadow of your wings…14 You provide food for those you love. Their children have plenty, and their grandchildren will have more than enough. 15 I am innocent, Lord, and I will see your face! When I awake, all I want is to see you as you are.” Psalm 17:6-8, 14-15 CEV

Today there may be many things fighting for your attention but focus, set your heart and mind to see God, your loving heavenly Father, as who He is!

Enjoy a restful day and focus on how God is here for you.

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My Father’s Love

Have you ever stopped to consider that a child’s love starts in selfishness? That may seem harsh but it’s true.

When a baby first joins our family they are only concerned with their own needs. They cry when they are hungry and get a response; vocalize again and someone will change their wet or messy diaper; squirm and fuss and they find comfort as they are rocked, sung too and cuddled into sleep.

Love, to a baby or small child, is based on the things they receive and the attention they are given. However, as a parent, grandparent or other loving adult we understand that this is just a passing phase. They need us and so we cater to them and their inability to do things for themselves. As they grow we help them express their love to others by sharing, giving hugs and kisses, doing instead of demanding and caring instead of commanding.

Have you ever wondered about the childhood of Jesus? We have very few verses in the Bible to tell us about His upbringing. This morning I read two descriptions in Luke that give insight on Jesus the toddler and Jesus the adolescent.

“Joseph and Mary finished doing all the things that the law of the Lord commanded. Then they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee. 40 The little boy Jesus was developing into a mature young man, full of wisdom. God was blessing him.” Luke 2:39-40 ERV

“Jesus went with them to Nazareth and obeyed them. His mother was still thinking about all these things. 52 As Jesus grew taller, he continued to grow in wisdom. God was pleased with him and so were the people who knew him.” Luke 2:51-52 ERV

Jesus grew and increased in wisdom. He gained favor with his family, his neighbors and with God, the Father. Isn’t that the desire we have for our children as well? It brings us so much joy as parents when our kids show love and compassion for those around them, when they think of others ahead of themselves.

As I read these verses this morning I couldn’t help but ask the Father if I was the kind of child that pleased Him?

Do my actions reflect Him? Is He a proud parent? Does He tap the angels on the shoulder and say “did you see what she just did, that’s my girl”?

My love for the Lord used to be based in selfishness just like a baby’s love. Need based, and the Father understood that but now it’s foundation is gratitude.

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

I no longer obey and try to please the Father because of what He can “give me” or to earn His love. No, I desire to do what pleases Him because of the amazing magnitude of love that He shows me on a daily basis. The Father is always reaching out to me, calling me to His side, wanting me to spend time in His presence.

But this kind of relationship isn’t just for a select few. It’s not exclusive to those of high calling or those who are good enough. The Father’s unconditional love is available to ALL his children.

“You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me.
Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful.” Psalm 16:11 CEV

Thank you Father for lovingly providing all I needed, forgiving my short comings and failures and bringing me into Your family. Thank you for Your love!

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God Watches Over Me

Last night we were watching a movie called “All The Pretty Horses” with Matt Damon. It had beautiful scenery, amazing horses but it was sad. At the end of the movie Matt Damon’s character recalls a conversation he had with a young cowboy earlier in the movie. It went like this:

“You think God looks out for people? said Rawlins.

Yeah. I guess he does. You?

Yeah. I do. Way the world is…You dont know what’s goin to happen. I’d say He’s just about got to. I dont believe we’d make it a day otherwise.”

That’s the thought I went to sleep on. I wouldn’t want to go through a day if I didn’t know that the Father was looking out for me. I think that’s the same thing that was going through King David’s mind when he wrote this in the Psalms.

“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.” Psalm 139:1-8 CEV

Yesterday we played tourist with our friends – God was there. We had a wonderful lunch – God was there. We watched a movie and God was there! There is no where we can go that God won’t be there. That thought is overwhelmingly comforting to me!

Not sure where you’re headed today or if you just plan on staying around home but God will be there. Those of you who have been experiencing the bitter artic vortex, God has been there watching over you. When your kids head out for school or go away to college, God will be there. A trip to the grocery store, yes, God is there.

“Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. 30 Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31 So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-32 CEV

Find comfort and strength in this – God is there!

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Choose Joy

I was up quite early this morning and I have been enjoying the quiet. I asked the Lord, as I so often do, what will this day have in store? Sometimes He gives me a glimpse into my day but most of the time it is a walk of faith.

God has given us the power to set the tone of our day by the choices we make. We can get up dreading what may come or we can choose to be joyful no matter what may come. I’m not talking about an empty-headed, irresponsible or irrational type of mindless thought. Not at all. But I am saying if we focus on God’s greatness and love, we will be able to handle anything that invades our day and still remain joyful.

“But let all who put their trust in You be glad. Let them sing with joy forever. You make a covering for them, that all who love Your name may be glad in You. 12 For You will make those happy who do what is right, O Lord. You will cover them all around with Your favor.” Psalm 5:11-12 NLV

Each one of us have multiple opportunities each day to lose our joy. They can come via email, text, phone call, personal interaction or old memories. It’s up to us whether we allow those things to steal our joy.

“May honor and thanks be given to the Lord, because He has heard my prayer. 7 The Lord is my strength and my safe cover. My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. So my heart is full of joy. I will thank Him with my song. 8 The Lord is the strength of His people. He is a safe place for His chosen one.” Psalm 28:6-8 NLV

Right before Jesus was crucified He was talking to his disciples and He told them things were going to get bad. In fact, He said that all of them would leave him; when he needed them the most they would abandon Him. However, He went on to say, the Father would be with Him so He wouldn’t be alone. That my friend is a reason to have peace and joy. When we’re in the Father’s presence there is reason for joy.

“Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33 NKJV

What I hear Jesus saying is this, “you are going to face troubles, trials and disappointments but keep your joy and stay close to Me because I have overcome all that the world can throw at you”. That’s my paraphrase on those verses.

There isn’t anything too big for God, there isn’t anything that He can’t handle so today I will choose joy and in that joy I will find strength.

“Today is a special day to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong.” Nehemiah 8:10 ERV

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A Word of Thanks

I want to share with you the good news I received yesterday. I went for my post-op visit with the surgeon who performed my back procedure just over two weeks ago. He said everything looked good and was healing well. I still have a couple weeks of taking it easy but all is well. The procedure was successful and I am back to living a normal, pain-free life.

Thank you for all your prayers. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you to everyone who has helped and offered to help. I love you all.

Thank you Lord for giving the medical world this knowledge that can help so many.

“Tell the Lord how thankful you are,  because he is kind and always merciful. 2 Let Israel shout,   “God is always merciful!” 3 Let the family of Aaron the priest shout, “God is always merciful!” 4 Let every true worshiper of the Lord shout, “God is always merciful!” 5 When I was really hurting, I prayed to the Lord. He answered my prayer, and took my worries away.” Psalm 118:1-5 CEV

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Everyone Has Reason to Sing

“Bless the Lord oh my soul – oooooooooo my soul and worship  His holy name. Bless the Lord oh my soul, oh my soul and worship His holy name!” Those are some of the lyrics to a song written by Matt Redman called 10,000 Reasons.

I love waking up singing praise to the Father! I know He likes it too. The Psalms tell us that He inhabits the praises of His people, that means He lives within our praise. I love it – just love it. We all have reason to praise.

Yes, we do…

If God has been doing amazing things in our lives we have reason to praise. If we have been going through a particularly dry spell we have reason to praise and if we are living in a disaster zone right now, we have reason to praise.

If you are at a time when you are experiencing God’s overwhelming goodness these verses may reflect the gratitude you have in your heart. These are only a few verses from this chapter. The whole chapter is filled with so many wonderful reasons to praise the Lord.

“With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name! 2 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, 4  and protects us from death. His kindness and love are a crown on our heads. 5 Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5 CEV

For those who think life has been dry and unproductive – nothing is happening, not good or bad, let these verses speak to you.

“The poor and needy look for water, but they cannot find any. Their tongues are dry with thirst. I, the Lord, will answer their prayers. I, the God of Israel, will not leave them to die. 18 I will make rivers flow on dry hills.  I will make springs of water flow through the valleys. I will change the desert into a lake filled with water. There will be springs of water in that dry land. 19 I will make trees grow in the desert. There will be cedar, acacias, olive trees, cypress, fir trees, and pines.” Isaiah 41:17-19 ERV

And for those who have been going through some really rough stuff lately here are some instructions for praising the Lord that will bring you to a place of peace.

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy. 5 Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:4-7 ERV

Now for anyone who doesn’t feel they’ve been included above, we have David’s instruction in Psalm 34.

“I will always praise the Lord. 2 With all my heart, I will praise the Lord. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. 3 Honor the Lord with me! Celebrate his great name.” Psalm 34:1-3 CEV

Praise brings strength to our lives. As I said at the beginning, the Lord inhabits the praise of His people. Almighty God comes to brings us life, joy and peace as we praise Him.

Want more joy – want more strength? Begin to praise the Father who created you – the Savior who died for you and the Holy Spirit who indwells you with power!

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Always Faithful

I don’t consider myself old however, I am more aged than some. I would rather say that I have experienced life, it’s joys and it’s sorrows. The thing I appreciate most about where I am on the numeric scale of years is my memory; the ability to recall situations, circumstances and events.

My earliest recollections are from a house we lived in on Avenue C in Yuma. It had a large date palm tree in the front yard. We had a small seven inch TV with foil on the rabbit ears to improve the reception. I remember the house always being filled with friends. Somewhere in there I became aware of nuclear threat. Must have been something on the news that invaded the conversation of the adults.

Anyway, I remember going outside and looking up at the sky and saying something like this “Dear Jesus, if the bomb comes I will come to heaven with you. Ok?”

I had such a sense of peace and security because I knew God was big enough to take care of things. All the Bible stories I had heard in Sunday School taught me that God loved me and He would take care of me. I know I didn’t understand the magnitude of God’s faithfulness but it was real to me all the same.

I don’t know why that memory came back to me this morning. I was thinking about God’s faithfulness; remembering times when He provided and protected in the past. I was praying for friends and family who need to see that God is faithfully involved in working out their tough situations.

I was also reading in Exodus where the Israelites were enslaved by the Egyptians and they cried out to God for deliverance. And then the words of the old hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, began to flood my heart and my mind.

“When your people worshiped, you know I told them, “Our Lord always helps!” 10 When all your people met, I did not keep silent. I said, “Our Lord is kind. He is faithful and caring, and he saves us.” 11 You, Lord, never fail to have pity on me; your love and faithfulness always keep me secure.” Psalm 40:9-11 CEV

Your love and faithfulness always keep me secure!

I have no idea what you or I will face today but I do know that God’s faithfulness will keep us secure!

“It is because of the Lord’s loving-kindness that we are not destroyed for His loving-pity never ends. 23 It is new every morning. He is so very faithful. 24 “The Lord is my share.” says my soul, “so I have hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 NLV

New every morning – we can’t exhaust the faithfulness of God. His loving-kindness never ends. He is always faithful.

“I will sing forever about the Lord’s love.  I will sing about his faithfulness forever and ever! 2 I will say, “Your faithful love will last forever. Your loyalty is like the sky—there is no end to it!” Psalm 89:1-2 ERV

So, join with me in singing this morning; on your way to the breakfast table, in the shower, on your way to work. Let’s sing because our God is always faithful!

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Thank you Father for your faithfulness!

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