Category: Psalms

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Knowing When to Stop or Go

Yesterday we safely completed our trip from Arizona to Idaho. It was another 12 hours of travel and although we arrived weary we certainly enjoyed the journey.

As we drove through the rolling ranchlands and the greasewood covered plains we imagined what it must have been like for the first settlers that came to the area. Looking at the beauty of the landscape through their eyes gave us an appreciation for their sacrifice and dedication in coming to such a place.

What was it that made them stop here. Build their homes, raise their families and create a new life? I imagine it was much like King David wrote in Psalm 23, it was a place of quiet streams and green grass. A good place, a place of peace. A place to stay.

“The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. 3 He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name.” Psalm 23:1-3 NLV

As we traveled down the road further I was faced with the contrast between staying in a place of rest  and moving forward.

For a good portion of the day we followed the Payette River. We had travelled this road last year and it was a beautiful drive. The forest was green and lush, the river beautiful but all of that was obscured from view this year.

There were fires in the area the last few days and the smoke was lingering in the air. Along the highway we passed numerous signs telling us “fire activity…don’t stop…proceed with caution”.  So we were obedient and just kept moving.

Isn’t that a lesson for life? Just keep moving!

Things happen that will obscure our view, detour our route and slow our progression but when we have Christ as our guide we can continue forward knowing that we will arrive at our destination.

“You are my God. I worship you.  In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. 2 I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship.

3 Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. 4 As long as I live, I will pray to you. 5 I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet.

6 I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night. 7 You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings. 8 I stay close to you, and your powerful arm supports me.” Psalm 63:1-8 CEV

Staying close to the Lord, receiving His powerful support is the key of our success.

The conclusion  I drew on yesterday’s journey is a simple one. Whether we are stopping in a place of resting or moving forward to a new place it’s important that we allow the Lord to lead in all of it.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.” Isaiah 30:21 CEV

I pray that you hear God’s voice today in your resting and receiving strength or moving forward by His leading.

 

 

 

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Summer is Time to Grow

Dave and I spent 13 hours in the truck driving from Arizona to Nevada. We enjoyed our travel time – we talked, looked at the scenery, talked some more and filled our day with the beauty of God’s creation.

I loved driving through the ranch country. We didn’t see a lot of cattle grazing but the alfalfa fields were filled with big square green bales. The thing I did miss seeing were the fruit trees. I guess the area we were in isn’t known for it’s fruit. But I always love how the spring rains prompt the blossom of the peach, apple, pear, cherry and apricot trees which lead to a full and bountiful end-of-summer harvest.

Summer is good for that – producing a harvest. I feel like I am going through, and growing in, a harvest season of my own. God is working in me, changing me, giving me strength and peace. I can see fruit developing and maturing.

There is a single verse in the Psalm 40 that I want us to look at this morning.

“You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done.” Psalm 40:5 NKJV

Look at this phrase “many are the wonderful works which You have done”. Think about that for a moment – what WONDERFUL works do you see that He has done? Was it last night’s sunset or this morning’s sunrise? Was it the love and compassion you felt for a stranger who was in need? Or was it the unpretentious love and acceptance of a child? What did you experience just yesterday that you can see was a wonderful work of God in your life?

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8 NJKV

“He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:4 NJKV

“O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” Isaiah 25:1 NKJV

I like the verse above – God’s counsellors are faithfulness and truth. The things that are wonder – full are the things that have the character of God woven through them. Things like faithfulness, truth, love, forgiveness, peace, gentleness, patience, joy. When God’s love fills us, we begin to produce fruit.

In nature a fruit  tree produces fruit for the kind of tree it is. Apples – apples, oranges – oranges, bananas – bananas and so on – you know what I’m saying. When we grow in Christ we will begin to produce fruit that is consistent with the vine we are growing on – we will begin to produce godly character.

As we examine our lives we should see godly fruit is growing. The Father is wanting us to share the fruit that grows in our lives with others. He is wanting to use us to do wonderful things in the lives of those around us.

“Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered. 8 When you become fruitful disciples of mine, my Father will be honored. 9 I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. ” John 15:7-9 CEV

I pray that this summer we all produce a bumper crop! May God bless  you with an abundant harvest.

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Bad Haircut

Strength – feeling a bit like Samson after a bad haircut this morning? 

Yesterday Dave and I came up to Mesa and we helped Kim and Austin unpack boxes and do little chores in their new home. We sometimes forget that we are not as young as we used to be and that we aren’t nearly as able to handle the heat as we once were.

So whether you are feeling physically weak and sore this morning or emotionally drained or depleted I hope you will find strength from these words. 

“I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. 13 Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:12-13ERV

 This verse I learned years ago comes back to me time and time again.  I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

 With age comes wisdom – youth says let’s hurry up and get it done; age says pace yourself.

 Today as we head out for Idaho, David will do the driving and  I will remind myself how much the Father loves me, how He has always been there for me, how He will continue to show me His goodness and give me his strength. Even as I am writing this I’m beginning to smile.

“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b NKJV

We’ve driven this road to Idaho many times and the Father has kept us safe on each one. We love traveling and seeing the beauty the Lord has created for all to enjoy. Our pace will be slower, a little bit and we are confident in the Father’s protection.  

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed  That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV 

I don’t want to make this all about me this morning. I want to encourage you – whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual strength you need today – you can do ALL things through Christ. He even provides for us in financial ways.

 We will all say together – the JOY of the Lord is my Strength!

 

 

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Pure and Simple

Pure. What is pure? It’s simple.

When that word came to me this morning my first thought was Ivory soap. Remember the old commercial when they showed a bar of Ivory soap floating – 99 44/100% pure.

Pure as the new fallen snow, pure love, pure conscience, pure wool, pure heart, pure country.

The Scripture refers to pure gold – everything in the Tabernacle was to be made from pure gold. Pure gold is translucent – you can see through it – it has the highest value and quality.

Pure…
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:7-10 KJV

The commandment of the Lord is pure and it is to be desired more than gold. The Word of the Lord is pure; no defect, no fault, no blemish, no imperfection.

Pure. God’s Word reveals to us His grace and His amazing love. It is by grace, His grace, His unmerited provision that we are saved. Saved by placing our faith in His grace! There’s nothing we can do on our own to earn it, it’s a gift we receive!

His grace took our sin and placed it on Jesus and then exchanged it for a robe of righteousness; we were made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

We received right standing – right relationship – with the Father through grace! Oh yes, our righteousness is as filthy rags but we aren’t standing before the Father in our own righteousness. We stand before Him in the righteousness of Christ – that’s the message of grace that brought us salvation.

That’s the pure truth of God’s word.

We must lose sight of our own  efforts to be good enough for God and focus on His grace and righteousness. We are now a new creature when we are in Christ, old things have died (passed away) and all has become new!

We are instructed by the Apostle Paul to think on, meditate on, things that are pure, lovely, true and a good report.

“Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.” Philippians 4:7-9 CEV

When situations arise, and they will, choose to think as we are instructed here. It may be thoughts of self-condemnation, remember what God has done to make you righteous. And if they are thoughts of criticism and ridicule of others replace them with the thought that God’s love is pure toward each and everyone of us.

Thinking like this will keep us at peace, pure and simple.

 

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Perspective

The clock is ticking. Time is running out. Things look almost hopeless!

It’s 11:59 with a deadline of 12:00. What to do? What to do?

Yesterday our daughter and son-in-law were going through two house closings, selling one and buying another. How nerve racking! ! Everything was signed, filed and recorded with 2 minutes to spare – 2 minutes! I found myself telling her that God is never late and rarely early, that’s the reason it’s called faith.

Faith is having God’s perspective, not our own.

Perspective! It’s important to keep a proper perspective when going through a tough time. If we begin to look to closely at the situation it will begin to seem overwhelming. It’s important to pull back and look at things the way God’s see them.

Do we see our situation as time is running out or do we see it as God does, there is time to spare?

The children of Egypt saw a sea too big to cross; God saw a stream and damned it up. Saul’s soldiers saw a giant too big to conquer; David saw a man who was no match for God. Noah saw a world filled with corruption and a devastating flood; God saw a cruise ship of salvation.

The disciples saw a hungry mob and Jesus saw lunch for all. The widow woman saw a famine and her last meal; the prophet saw an oil bottle and flour barrel that never ran out. Jairus saw a daughter who had died; Jesus saw a young girl who had fallen asleep.

What is our perspective? Do we see things as hopeless, do we see defeat? Do  we see a looming bankruptcy, a doctor’s dismal report, a failing relationship, a career that’s ending?

“Like a deer drinking from a stream, I reach out to you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for the living God. When can I go to meet with him?

3 Instead of food, I have only tears day and night, as my enemies laugh at me and say, “Where is your God?”

4 My heart breaks as I remember the pleasant times in the past, when I walked with the crowds as I led them up to God’s Temple. I remember the happy songs of praise as they celebrated the festival.

5-6 Why am I so sad?  Why am I so upset? I tell myself, “Wait for God’s help!
    You will again be able to praise him, your God, the one who will save you.”

In my sadness I say, “I will remember you from here on this small hill, where Mount Hermon and the Jordan River meet.” 7 I hear the roar of the water coming from deep within the earth. It shouts to the water below as it tumbles down the waterfall. God, your waves come one after another, crashing all around and over me.

8 By day the Lord shows his faithful love, and at night I have a song for him—a prayer for the God of my life. 9 I say to God, my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I suffer this sadness that my enemies have brought me?”
10 Their constant insults are killing me. They never stop asking, “Where is your God?”

11 Why am I so sad?  Why am I so upset? I tell myself, “Wait for God’s help!  You will again be able to praise him, your God, the one who will save you.”  Psalm 42 ERV

It’s ok to tell the Lord about our worries, our concerns, our heartaches but let’s not end there. We need to make our final declaration like the one that ends this Psalm, “Wait for God’s help!  You will again be able to praise him, your God, the one who will save you”.

Satan saw Jesus as a dead man, buried in a tomb but God saw the resurrection!  He has a plan for our deliverance.

Why be discouraged or disheartened? Put our hope in God!

Perspective!

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A Time to Celebrate

Happy Anniversary everyone! Yes, we are celebrating the 1st Anniversary of the morning blog.

I’ve been sharing for years on Facebook but it wasn’t until mid-July last year that a dear friend, Tom, set up this blog for me. I hope you have been encouraged by God’s Word as you joined me during the past year.

The other day I was watching a television show and one of the characters made a comment about her grandmother. She said, “Gran faces crises in such a quiet way. She just prays. I can’t sit and do nothing like she does. I have to act.”

I’ve been mulling that over and I’m sure that many people feel that way. They think that praying is an inactive, passive way of handling life’s challenges.

Far from it!

What an appropriate Scripture was part of my reading this morning. It’s filled with action.

“Give thanks to the Lord and call out to him! Tell the nations what he has done!
2 Sing to him; sing praises to him. Tell about the amazing things he has done.
3 Be proud of his holy name. You followers of the Lord, be happy!
4 Depend on the Lord for strength. Always go to him for help.
5 Remember the amazing things he has done. Remember his miracles and his fair decisions.” Psalm 105:1-5 ERV

Look at all those action words; Give, Call, Tell, Sing, Be Proud, Be Happy, Depend, Go, Remember.  Far from a passive life.

There have been times when people have asked me to pray about something specific. A thing that they thought was completely overwhelming. We would pray and they would see the answer powerfully. Then a few weeks later they would be call in a panic and ask me to pray  about another crisis, as if they had completely forgotten about the way the Lord had provided the last time.

We need to continually remind ourselves of all the amazing things that God has done in us, through us and for us. This will not only encourage us when we face the next challenge, big or small, but it will also be a reminder to those around us of the goodness of our Father.

“My soul, praise the Lord! Every part of me, praise his holy name!
2 My soul, praise the Lord and never forget how kind he is!
3 He forgives all our sins and heals all our sicknesses.
4 He saves us from the grave, and he gives us love and compassion.
5 He gives us plenty of good things. He makes us young again, like an eagle that grows new feathers.” Psalm 103:1-5 ERV

The psalmist David talks to his “soul” in this Psalm. Our soul is our very core; the heart of our emotions and stability. How important it is that we follow David’s instruction to never forget.

I think that’s one of the reasons I love the early morning so much. It gives me time to remember and to rehearse what the Lord has done in the past, strengthening me to face this day and all that it has. Part of that reminiscing is prompted by the birds that rise before dawn – quail, dove, hummingbirds, sparrows, finches, meadowlarks, whippoorwills. The first thing they do every morning is sing!

Jesus told us that the Father loves and cares for the birds but we mean so much more to Him than they do. So shouldn’t we start our day like them, singing?

“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? 27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it… “Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.” Matthew 6:25-33 ERV

During the last year I hope you have been stimulated in your faith; trusting the Lord more today than you did last year at this time.

Join me in having a piece of cake, singing to the Lord, remembering His goodness from the past and praising Him for the year ahead.

God bless you all.

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A Love Letter for All Time

I quite often refer to God’s Word as His love letter to us. A love letter for all time!

I have saved a box of love letters from Dave. When we were dating he lived in California and I was here in Arizona. Every few years I take them out and read them. They remind me of how this wonderful life begin.

This morning I was reading back through some devotional thoughts I shared on Facebook about 5 years ago. We were back in Iowa and little did I know that the day after writing this I would be in the hospital fighting my most painful battle. It was important for me to read this and see where my heart was that day.

and so it goes…

Each day I am thankful that God has allowed me to share His word with you. I don’t know where I would be without the Father’s love or His wonderful love letter, His Word! In fact, I don’t even want to think about what my life would be without Him.

God’s Word has brought  forgiveness of sins, health to my body, peace to my soul, healing for my children, enrichment to my marriage, wisdom when my human intellect was lacking, protection in physical and emotional storms and safety in the face of danger. God’s promises have let me know that He would always supply and He always has. But I do have to tell you, it hasn’t always been this way. I lived a defeated life for a long time until I saw in God’s word that He had made provision for more than eternal life and that He wanted me to live victoriously while I was here on earth.

All of God’s promises are the same. His Word is for everyone but we don’t all see the same results. Why? We must appropriate what God has given us; simply put we must believe it regardless of how we feel or what circumstances tell us we should believe.

There have been days that I wake up and don’t feel very saved; my salvation isn’t founded on my feelings, it’s based on God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice. There are days that I wake up and may not feel healed but I am because it’s based on God’s promise and Jesus’ sacrifice.

The circumstances told Jesus and his disciples there wasn’t enough lunch to feed 5000 men with five loaves and two fish but the blessing of God flowed and there was more than enough.

The circumstances said to the apostles all hope was gone and they should hide after the crucifixion but the power of God was released through His Word and resurrection came! The medical world said nothing could be done for the woman with the issue of blood but just one touch brought healing to her body. Yes, the word of God changes our circumstances when we believe; it’s called faith! Not faith in ourselves, but faith in God’s unchanging, unfailing love.

Let the words of David’s Psalm be real in your life today.

“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. 5 You will have nothing to fear at night and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day. 6 You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark or terrible suffering that comes at noon.
7 A thousand people may fall dead at your side or ten thousand right beside you, but nothing bad will happen to you! 8 All you will have to do is watch, and you will see that the wicked are punished. 9 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. 12 Their hands will catch you so that you will not hit your foot on a rock. 13 You will have power to trample on lions and poisonous snakes. 14 The Lord says, “If someone trusts me, I will save them. I will protect my followers who call to me for help.
15 When my followers call to me, I will answer them. I will be with them when they are in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. 16 I will give my followers a long life and show them my power to save.” Psalm 91 ERV

These are the words that I had going through my heart laying in the back of the ambulance. These are the words I focused on in the emergency room and these are the words that gave me strength and brought me home safely.

These words were my love letter from the Father and I placed my confidence in Him.

What are circumstances telling you? Are they demanding you give up and quit? Do they say you’ll never recover?

Read your circumstances the words of love that you have on your end table or in your computer. Read them God’s promises – they never fail.

The Bible truly is a love letter for all time!

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Rain Brings Life

 Here in Arizona it’s monsoon season. This is our rainy time of year. The time when the desert comes to life!

From mid-June to mid-September we are blessed with the sounds and smell of rain. The earthen water tanks fill to overflowing, the cacti drink in this precious moisture and the smell of the desert after the rain is indescribable.

Sometimes it comes with flashes of lightning, crashing thunder and strong winds. The lightning storms are truly something to behold. The birds take flight and relish the refreshing waters.

We love it!

To be perfectly honest, I used to be bothered by the thunder and lightning. I hated to have it come in the middle of the night. I always enjoyed the rain but the sounds of the storm were disconcerting. Over time I have learned to be at peace in the midst of the storm, I have learned to trust. (Sounds like practical application of yesterday’s blog.) Anyway…this morning I want to share with you some Scriptures on peace.

Sitting here this morning, I have the doors and windows open. The air is cool, the birds are singing and the dawn is breaking. How beautiful it is to sit in the quiet of the morning and let the Lord speak to my heart.

Peace is an internal condition – there have always been wars or conflict; but peace is the sense of well being in our souls – peace that passes understanding because it goes beyond the natural way of thinking to a place of trust and rest in God and His goodness.

“The rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there without giving water to the earth. This makes plants grow on the earth, and gives seeds to the planter and bread to the eater. 11 So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well. 12 You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. ” Isaiah 55:10-12 NLV

Just like rain causes the seeds to sprout and grass to grow, God’s word causes peace and joy to grow in our lives. God’s word, like a seed, planted in our hearts will bring a harvest.

“May all the children-to-come fear You as long as the sun and the moon last. 6 May He come down like rain upon the cut grass, like rain that waters the earth. 7 In His days may all go well with those who are right and good. And may there be much peace until the moon is no more.” Psalm 72:5-7 NLV

Enjoy the rain today. Before you know it, you will also be enjoying the harvest!

 

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About To Sink

Think about this. You’re an experienced fisherman and you know how to handle yourself on the sea. You know the capability of your boat, the right tack to take through rough waters and how to use the wind to your advantage.

But tonight a storm comes up, one you didn’t see coming. No problem, you’re experienced, probably one of the best seamen around. However, you’re tired.

You’ve spent all day at a conference, an open air meeting,  you’ve heard some things that could be life changing. Things you don’t want to forget and want to use daily to change the way you’ve been thinking and handling things.

But this storm…you’ve got to weather this storm, get some rest and then you’ll start applying what you learned tomorrow.

The weather started getting rough, the ship was being tossed (no, not Gilligan’s Island) and you’re taking on water. Everyone on board is doing what you tell them to do, they are all working together, except for that one guy who’s sleeping in the back of the boat.

That’s right. I said sleeping. He was the main speaker at the conference today and so I guess he must be exhausted but how can he sleep? The boat is filling with water, he’s getting wet and being tossed from side to side but still he sleeps. Doesn’t he care that you’re about to go under?!?!?!

Jesus! wake up. Don’t you care that we are about to sink?

“Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep. His disciples woke him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re about to drown?” 39 Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm.” Mark 4:38-39 CEV

Jesus was at peace and didn’t let the storm affect him. He was trusting God’s Word.

“Because you have made the Lord your safe place, and the Most High the place where you live, 10 nothing will hurt you. No trouble will come near your tent. 11 For He will tell His angels to care for you and keep you in all your ways. ” Psalm 91:9-11 NLV

There are so many verses like this where God promises to be our protection and provision. Jesus knew He could trust God to be his protection. He wanted his disciples to have that same confidence.

“Jesus asked his disciples, “Why were you afraid? Don’t you have any faith?” Mark 4:40 CEV

He had been teaching earlier that day and told them that the Word is like seed and if you plant it, it will grow and bear fruit. But it has to be protected.

When they got in the ship, Jesus said to them, let us go to the other side. He didn’t say let’s go 1/2 way across and sink. Now here’s the kicker – handling our problems and applying “the Word” tomorrow when things are better and I can really meditate on it could be disastrous.

“The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. 19 But they start worrying about the needs of this life. They are fooled by the desire to get rich and to have all kinds of other things. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything. ” Mark 4:18-19 CEV

Jesus had sown the Word earlier in the day. He said,  “Let’s go to the other side”. Then thorns or the cares of this life, in the form of a storm, came immediately to choke the Word out. Jesus could sleep because He was care free. Peter and the others were panicked because they were care (worry) full.

What is causing you to be care full today? Find out what God’s word has to say about it,  remove the thorns.

Go to the other side in victory!

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Steps Away

Dave and I were up early this morning, 3:15, to be exact. We had a plane to catch.

 

For the last week we have been with friends in West Glacier, MT. They purchased a cabin that needed some renovating and so we were asked to  help with the projects. We worked very hard but had a wonderful time.

When we all got tired, and we did, the thing that kept us on track was the vision that they have for their property. You see they call their cabin, Steps Away. Yes, it’s Steps Away from the entrance to Glacier Park and steps away from the Village of West Glacier with a rafting company, restaurant, bar, gift shop, post office, ice cream parlor and other fun places.

Our friends plan to offer Steps Away as a home for vacation rental, family reunions, gatherings of friends and they want it to be as comfortable as possible. We were so glad to help.

As we were driving to the airport this morning I was struck with the similarity of getting the cabin guest-friendly and our walk with the Lord. Our friends have a vision for the cabin’s appearance; it has a destiny. But to arrive at that destiny there is work involved. Exhausting work on some days, all culminating with a wonderful end.

You and I also have a destiny. We are being renewed in the image of Christ. Some days the renovations can be exhausting but we keep our focus on the result and move forward.

“The steps of a good man are led by the Lord. And He is happy in his way. 24 When he falls, he will not be thrown down, because the Lord holds his hand.”   Psalm 37:23  NLV

Three Bible personalities came to mind as I thought about our steps being ordered by the Lord. The first is Joseph.

As a young man he had dreams of his God-given destiny. He saw that his father and brothers would be bowing down in reverence to him. As the youngest son this was completely out of character. The oldest son was the one who received honor in the family.

Joseph’s journey to his destiny had his brothers selling him into slavery; serving as a household servant to a wealthy man whose wife tried to seduce him; being imprisoned because of a lie and finally making it to the pharaoh’s court where he was promoted to 2nd in authority. During a time of famine Joseph saw his destiny fulfilled.

God used him to develop a food storage plan that kept all of Egypt and their surrounding neighbors from starving. When his brothers came to him to buy grain, they bowed down at his feet in humble reverence. 

Then there was Mary, the mother of Jesus. She knew her destiny was to birth the promised Messiah. As a young girl this was a hard road to walk. She faced ridicule and criticism from family and friends. Even Joseph dealt with the thought of divorce.

Once the Messiah was born there were diapers to change, possibly colic and sleepless nights. She was his teacher; teaching him to walk and talk. Responsible for his safety and upbringing knowing full well that she had been given the responsibility of raising God’s son.  Some of her steps were hard ones to take, exhausting, but well worth taking to fulfill her destiny.

“You have also given me the covering that saves me. Your right hand holds me up. And Your care has made me great. 36 You make the road wide for my steps, and my feet have not tripped.”  Psalm 18:35-36 NLV

The final Bible character who walked the road to their destiny is Jesus. He was just steps away from His destiny but first he had to leave heaven, be born as a baby, grow into a man and begin His ministry. He had brothers and sisters to help at home, after all He was the oldest son.

He was despised, hated by the Jewish leaders but loved by those who needed healing and consolation. His steps took Him to weddings, funerals, church functions, outdoor meetings. He went places and did things that Jews in good standing didn’t. His steps lead down a rocky road that culminated in his crucifixion.

However, His destiny wasn’t fulfilled until He rose from the dead. His steps took him from heaven and  back.

Look at where you are now. Can you identify with the rough and rocky road? Don’t quit! You are just steps away from reaching your destiny. Each hardship is bringing you closer to who and where God has called you to serve. Take some advice from the Apostle Peter.

“What good is it if, when you are beaten for doing something wrong, you do not try to get out of it? But if you are beaten when you have done what is right, and do not try to get out of it, God is pleased. 21 These things are all a part of the Christian life to which you have been called. Christ suffered for us. This shows us we are to follow in His steps. 22 He never sinned. No lie or bad talk ever came from His lips.” I Peter 2:20-22 NLV

Don’t get tired during the renovation process. Don’t give in to weariness.

I’ll leave you with this final thought.

“ Do not let yourselves get tired of doing good. If we do not give up, we will get what is coming to us at the right time. 10 Because of this, we should do good to everyone. For sure, we should do good to those who belong to Christ.” Galatians 6:9-10 NLV

(Started this in the Kalispell airport and posted it from Salt Lake City. We’ll be home soon!)

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