Category: September2026

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Sweet Fragrance of Jesus

I recently became acquainted with a lady named Sarah. Her mother is a dear friend and although Sarah has been to visit a number of times in the last few years, I only met her on her visit in August.

Sarah has a cottage business, Farm Gal Soaps. She makes some wonderful products. The candles she made recently are the best candles I have ever found. Their fragrance fills the room whether they are lit or not. The sweet aroma is welcoming and comforting.

That’s why I thought of them when I read this verse this morning.

“Now thanks be to God, who always leads us to triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” II Corinthians 2:14

God desires for you to be triumphant today. He has provided a way for you to ALWAYS be victorious. When you do triumph and give Him the glory, it’s like the smell of a sweet perfume or a wonderful scented candle.

Some folks ask “What’s that smell (i.e. how did you come out of that victorious), and you can say, “Oh, it was God. He is the one who gives me the victory.”

Here’s to victory today – spread the sweet aroma of God’s love!

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Heart to Heart

So many times life gets in the way of truly living!

We get so caught up in all the activities, things and people demanding part of our time. Life happens and it can be demanding. There is a tendency to focus on ALL that HAS to be DONE. Too much pressure and not enough time.

Do you think that God doesn’t know that? He does!

Do you think He was caught by SURPRISE by the events that are clamoring for your attention? He wasn’t!

Problems have surfaced like the waves of a tsunami and you feel like you are about to be washed away. He is the one who speaks to the winds and waves and says peace be still!

“Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? 3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. 4 Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. 5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord. 6 Many, Lord, are asking, ‘Who will bring us prosperity?’ Let the light of your face shine on us. 7 Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. 8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4 NIV

I love verse 4 in the King James version:

” Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.”

Commune with your own heart and be still! Search your heart – let God bring peace – Be still!

“Trust in the Lord and wait quietly for his help. Don’t be angry when people make evil plans and succeed. 8 Don’t become so angry and upset that you, too, want to do evil.” Psalm 37:7-8 ERV

Be still and listen!

“Our God says, ‘Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.’ 11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:10-11 CEV

Thank you Lord for having the answers to all my questions and having the solutions to all my problems. I want my heart to commune with You – heart to heart. Remind me that You, the Lord All-Powerful is with me”.

I CAN PUT MY TRUST IN YOU!

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Always There!

I started my morning reading in the book of Nehemiah. It’s a little book in the Old Testament and deals with the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem by those Jews who had been released from exile in Babylonia.

What could we possible learn from them? Right? We learn of Almighty God’s unfailing faithfulness!

“But when they were at peace, they would turn against you, and you would hand them over to their enemies. Then they would beg for help, and because you are merciful, you rescued them over and over again.” Nehemiah 9:28 CEV

In that chapter, Nehemiah repeats about 4 times how God was faithful to rescue the Israelites over and over again, Because He was Merciful!

Have you ever felt abandon? Becoming desperate in your search and almost hopeless. Then in your desperation you cry out for help.

You hear someone speak but you don’t really hear his voice until he calls you by name. “Kristi” and no one says my name like Jesus! There He is, coming to my aid. because He is merciful.

The is the story of Mary in John 20. She ran to the tomb in the Garden on the first day of the week so she could properly prepare His body. The tomb was empty, so she went back to tell the disciples that Jesus’ body was gone. They all came running and when they found the tomb empty they all left but Mary.

She stayed looking for Jesus, instead she found the angels who wanted to know why she was so upset. She told them she was looking for her Lord and wanted to know who had taken him away.

Then she saw someone she thought was the gardener and asked him if He had taken Jesus body. She didn’t recognize him as Jesus until He spoke her name – as he said her name “Mary” – she knew Him immediately.

“Jesus asked her, ‘Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?’ She thought he was the gardener and said, ‘Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.’ 16 Then Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him, ‘Rabboni.’ The Aramaic word Rabboni means “Teacher.” John 20:15-16 ERV

Two different scenarios. One, a people who rebelled against God time and again. Doing their own thing, making their own gods and serving their own desires and pleasures. The other had her Lord, whom she loved, murdered and now His body had been “stolen”.

In desperation both called out for help. The Israelites found deliverance and forgiveness and Mary found her Lord and consolation. There is no circumstance or situation that God will ignore and abandon us. He is always faithful.

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

In your desperate search, take time to listen for His voice. He is there and He will always be there. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you and He never will.

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Don’t Quit – Don’t Give Up – Don’t Give In

Don’t quit – Don’t stop – Don’t Give Up – Don’t Give In

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

We all feel like giving up at one time or another but with God’s strength we can and will go forward to victory.

God has given us His power to overcome and be victorious in the things of life. Not our power but His. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead has been made available to us.

“ God put everything under Christ’s power and made him head over everything for the church. 23 The church is Christ’s body. It is filled with him. He makes everything complete in every way.” Ephesians 1:22-23 ERV

“Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. 20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. ” Ephesians 3:19-20 ERV

“ I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

“ So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. 32 He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things. 33 Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one! God is the one who makes them right. 34 Who can say that God’s people are guilty? No one! Christ Jesus died for us, but that is not all. He was also raised from death. And now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us.” Romans 8:31-34 ERV

We aren’t supposed to do life on our own!

God has made His power available to us through Christ. Don’t give up, don’t quit – lean into the power of God through your relationship with Jesus.

“ But the Lord said, ‘My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.‘ So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me.” II Corinthians 12:9 ERV

The Father’s great love for us is more than enough to strengthen us in any situation. Don’t give up, Don’t give in, Don’t quit. His grace is sufficient!!

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This Is the Day

So many different readers in different time zones so some of you have been up for quite a while. Some of you are energetic and ready to charge into the day or already have. Others are enjoying a quiet morning.

When I got up, I said “Lord, I’m waking up tired. I have You and my coffee and that’s a good start to any day”.

“Lord, I thank you for answering my prayer. I thank you for saving me…24 This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be happy today! 25 The people say, “Praise the Lord! The Lord saved us!” Psalm 118:21-25 ERV

This is a day to praise the Lord. There is never a day that the Lord isn’t with us. He is here to give us strength when we feel weak, to share in our joy filled moments, to calm our fears and to give us a reason to praise.

“ 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 4:12-13 ERV

Take time in prayer to tell the Lord what is most important to you and what is most concerning. Let Him handle your cares and you go about the day thanking Him for all He’s done, is doing and will do.

“Lord, I know you will do what you have promised.  Lord, your faithful love will last forever.
You are the one who made us, so don’t leave us!” Psalm 138:8 ERV

This is the day the Lord has made – REJOICE!

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Encourage One Another

Another morning up before the dawn but one thing is for certain dawn will come. God set in motion the rotation of the earth around the sun. The sunrise will start each morning and the sunset will close each day.

Tides will ebb and flow. Fall follows summer and then comes winter and the new life of spring. All are part of the Father’s grand design.

And each morning brings a new opportunity to be encouraged in God’s word.

“We must hold on to the hope we have, never hesitating to tell people about it. We can trust God to do what he promised. 24 We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works.” Hebrews 10:23-24 ERV

“ So when God wanted to prove for certain his promise to his people could not be broken, he made a vow. 18 God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19  This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls…” Hebrews 6:17-19 ERV

Years ago I used to sing a song written by John W Peterson, It Took a Miracle.

“My Father is omnipotent

And that you can’t deny

A God of might and miracles

It’s written in the sky.

It took a miracle to put the stars in place

It took a miracle to hang the world in space

But when He saved my soul cleansed and made me whole

It took a miracle of love and grace.”

The greatest miracle of all is the Father’s amazing love extended to each and everyone of us. His plan for our new birth – restoration full and complete.

I certainly enjoy the proofs that He gives us each day to let us know He’s still here, still reaching out, still loving. His love never fails and we see that in the consistancy of His creation.

“Our Lord, you are King! Majesty and power are your royal robes. You put the world in place, and it will never be moved. 2 You have always ruled, and you are eternal. 3 The ocean is roaring, Lord! The sea is pounding hard. 4 Its mighty waves are majestic, but you are more majestic, and you rule over all. 5 Your decisions are firm, and your temple will always be beautiful and holy.” Psalm 93

God’s promises are certain. Nature is proof of that. He cannot lie. He will not break His word!

His word gives hope and that hope encourages us and holds us steady in life’s storms, just like an anchor. Then we are instructed to encourage others who appear to have no hope.

We can point them to the One who never fails, who never gives up, whose love is everlasting and who is faithful to a thousand generations. Yes, let’s encourage one another with God’s word!

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Fall for Jesus

I love this time of year. Autumn, Fall, Harvest. It’s great!

Instead of focusing on the “scary” things, we can enjoy the rich harvest that God has produced in our lives.

Many have been haunted by their pasts and it can leave them paralyzed to face the future. We have all done things that if brought to light would either embarrass us greatly or ruin our reputation and cause close friends and family to walk away from us.

But that is the fear that the Lord came to free us from.

“But now [in spite of past judgments for Israel’s sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” Isaiah 43:1-3a AMP

Do you see the first line of these verses, “in spite of past judgements for sins”?

The Lord redeems us from our past and gives us hope for the future! He knows all that we have done and are going to do and He loves us! He wants us to stay close to Him so that He can be our constant source of peace and joy. He wants us to keep our thoughts so focused on Him so that we can’t be plagued by our past. Now that’s freedom!

“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 CEV

When we fall at the feet of Jesus, we are washed of our sins and enjoy a harvest of His unconditional love and forgiveness.

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

“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

“16 “This is the agreement I will make with my people in the future, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts. I will write my laws in their minds.” 17 Then he says, ‘I will forget their sins and never again remember the evil they have done.’ 18 And after everything is forgiven, there is no more need for a sacrifice to pay for sins.” Hebrews 10:16-18 ERV

Our heavenly Father doesn’t like people trash talking His kids! Everything is forgiven.

When we fall in love with Jesus, He gives us an abundant life!

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Don’t Look Around – Look Up

Don’t look around, look up!

For years, I have loved looking at the clouds. There’s just something about them that draws me in. The landscape below may be barren and mundane but there’s a majesty in looking up.

There’s a good Biblical lesson in that.

When Daniel was in the lions’ den he wasn’t counting lions, he was looking up to the One who delivers.

When David was facing Goliath, he wasn’t looking around at all the soldiers who weren’t joining the battle, but he was looking up to the Rock of his salvation.

When Peter was on the sea he was looking at Jesus who was walking on the water of his storm but when he looked around at the waves he began to sink.

I’ve been reading through some of the smaller books in the Old Testament, Ezra and Nehemiah. Some Jews had been released from captivity and sent back to Jerusalem with a specific task, rebuild the wall around the city.

Ezra and the Jews faced so many interruptions, malicious reports and threats of danger. They didn’t complete the job, but they made a good start. Enter Nehemiah. He also faced threats. Listen to his advice:

“Our enemies were saying, ‘Before those Jews know what has happened, we will sneak up and kill them and put an end to their work.’ 12 On at least ten different occasions, the Jews living near our enemies warned us against attacks from every side, 13 and so I sent people to guard the wall …14 Then I looked things over and told the leaders, the officials, and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of your enemies! The Lord is great and fearsome. So think of him and fight for your relatives and children, your wives and homes!’15 Our enemies found out that we knew about their plot against us, but God kept them from doing what they had planned. So we went back to work on the wall.” Nehemiah 4:11-15 CEV

“…the wall was completely rebuilt. It had taken 52 days. 16 When our enemies in the surrounding nations learned that the work was finished, they felt helpless, because they knew that our God had helped us rebuild the wall.” Nehemiah 6:15-16 CEV

Where’s your focus today? Are you looking around at your circumstances or are you looking up to your Savior and your God?

“I look to the hills! Where will I find help? 2 It will come from the Lord, who created the heavens and the earth. 3 The Lord is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble…7 The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers. 8 The Lord will protect you now and always wherever you go.” Psalm 121 CEV

I think we often spend so much time wondering what other people will think, seeking approval or others’ opinions instead of looking up and seeing what the Lord has to say. It’s good to get advice but it should be godly advice.

Don’t look around at the circumstances. Look up and trust the Lord!

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Every Day Promises

Knowing that God is in control and that He is working things out even/especially when you can’t see what’s going on is a great place of peace and comfort.

I’ve been asked why I post this blog every day. My answer is simple; God is an everyday God and His promises are for each day. The people He used in the Bible were everyday people, with ordinary occupations and real-life problems. They had discouragement, disasters, and disappointments.

“Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the God of my life…11 Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you, Lord! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.” Psalm 42:9-11 CEV

Even in the most discouraging times, they trusted God and they rejoiced in God when they saw the victory. It was an everyday walk.

I want you to know there isn’t a day or even a moment when the Almighty God isn’t with you and He wants you aware of His presence and His power. He’s your Father and He loves you unconditionally.

He delivered Noah in the flood, David from Goliath, Daniel from the lions, Joseph in Egypt, Paul in prison, the thief on the cross and He won’t quit with you!

“12 Great blessings belong to those who are tempted and remain faithful! After they have proved their faith, God will give them the reward of eternal life. God promised this to all people who love him. 13 Whenever you feel tempted to do something bad, you should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. 14 You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. 15 Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death.

16 My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. 17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:12-18 ERV

Sometimes we get things backwards. Sometimes we say God is testing me or putting me through this trial to see what I’m made of. God doesn’t do that. When the trials, tests and temptations come, they come from our own making or the influence of Satan in the world. God steps in to give us the strength to win the battle.

Let God lead you into victory today and thank Him for all the good and perfect gifts that He has provided.

“The Lord is on my side, and I am not afraid of what others can do to me.” Psalm 118:6 CEV

I’m still camped out in Psalm 23. I’m learning to sit at the table the Lord has prepared for me, even in the presence of my enemies. The key to peace is keeping focused on Him.

He promises me and you, that He will never leave or abandon us!

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Seek His Face

I’ve been looking at the reactions of the people that encountered Jesus as I read through the book of John.

Some are moved by what Jesus did and others by what Jesus said. I asked myself, which one am I? Do I need to see a miracle to have my faith bolstered or am I willing to let my life be changed by the simplicity of His word?

Remember the Samaritan woman? Her life and the life of her town were changed by the words of Jesus.

” Many of the Samaritan people in that town believed in Jesus. They believed because of what the woman had told them about him. She had told them, ‘He told me everything I have ever done.’ 40 The Samaritans went to Jesus. They begged him to stay with them. So he stayed there two days. 41 Many more people became believers because of the things he said.

42 The people said to the woman, ‘First we believed in Jesus because of what you told us. But now we believe because we heard him ourselves. We know now that he really is the one who will save the world.’” John 4:39-42 ERV

And then there was the man at the pool who had been lame – His life was changed by the words “take up your bed and walk”.

Look at this example in John 6. These folks had followed Jesus and He had his disciples feed them with a boy’s lunch.

“So they gathered up the pieces that were left. The people had started eating with only five loaves of barley bread. But the followers filled twelve large baskets with the pieces of food that were left. 14 The people saw this miraculous sign that Jesus did and said, ‘He must be the Prophet who is coming into the world.’ 15 Jesus knew that the people planned to come get him and make him their king. So he left and went into the hills alone.” John 6:13-15 ERV

It wasn’t the words that Jesus spoke that changed the people; they wanted to see more signs. He had filled their bellies but they hadn’t let Him fill their hearts.

As a loving parent or grandparent we like to provide for the needs of our children and grandchildren but we don’t want that to be the motive for the attention they give us.

I will ask you a question that needs to be asked and answered on a continual basis.

Here’s the question.

What is more important to me, seeking the hand of God (his provisions) or seeking His face (relationship)?

The amazing thing is that when we seek His face, we will be blessed by His promises and provision.

In my lifetime I have seen some real miracles. But what has made more of an impact than the miracles is the daily relationship that I have with the Lord.

“O Lord, listen to my cry. Show loving-kindness to me and answer me. 8 You have said, ‘Look for My face.‘ My heart said to You, ‘O Lord, Your face will I look for.‘” Psalm 27:7-8 NLV

Meet with the Father face to face today. It will change your life!

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