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Nothing But the Blood

Why do you love the Lord? Why are you willing to stand for Him when others think that your ways and ideas are old fashioned, out of date, archaic and foolish? Why do you believe in a God you can’t see and why are you willing to base your life on His word?

Why?

The first thoughts that came to me as I was journaling this morning were “What can wash away my sin? Nothing, but the blood of Jesus”.

That’s the answer to my why. It’s the love of Jesus, unconditional love, that caused Him to go to the cross and die for me.

My answer in a nutshell – I love the Lord because He loved me first! In my 73 years of life my heavenly Father has never had a bad thought about me; He has never belittled me, never lied to me and He has never abandoned me and He never will!

Has He approved of everything I’ve done? NO

Has He corrected and instructed me? ABSOLUTELY

He has loved me unconditionally and without embarrassment.

My greatest form of worship is to love Him and then to love others as He has loved me.

“Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child. And so everyone who loves knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. 10 True love is God’s love for us, not our love for God. He sent his Son as the way to take away our sins.

11 That is how much God loved us, dear friends! So we also must love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us. If we love each other, God’s love has reached its goal—it is made perfect in us.

13 We know that we live in God and God lives in us. We know this because he gave us his Spirit. 14 We have seen that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world, and this is what we tell people now. 15 Anyone who says, “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God,” is a person who lives in God, and God lives in that person. 16 So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love.

God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them. 17 If God’s love is made perfect in us, we can be without fear on the day when God judges the world. We will be without fear, because in this world we are like Jesus. 18 Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear. It is his punishment that makes a person fear. So his love is not made perfect in the one who has fear. 19 We love because God first loved us.” I John 4:7-19 ERV

I pray that you have an intimate knowledge of how much God loves you. “He sent his Son as the way to take away our sins.” Nothing, but the blood of Jesus could cover our sin. His love is life changing!

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Why Worry?

There’s a whole lot of life that needs to be lived and the Father wants it to be free from worry!

Years back, many years ago, I read a book written by a very successful and innovative American businessman, Jon Huntsman. He wrote a book, “Winners Never Cheat”. I still have it in my library of influential books.

Anyway, Mr. Huntsman, had challenges in his business, like all successful businesses, and opportunities for worry. He said he had a box, a worry box on his desk, and anytime he was presented with one of those opportunities he wrote down and put it in the box and released the pressure of worry. He opened the box once a week and amazingly many of the notes were no longer an issue. They had resolved without his worry or stress. The ones that were still a concern, he left in the box.

Such a simplistic approach to problem solving. But Biblical! Mr. Huntsman was a man who trusted God.

“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.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLV

“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NLV

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

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?…30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:25-33 NLV

Maybe, just maybe, we should follow Mr. Huntsman’s example and make a worry box. Write down our concerns, large and small, open the lid, put the “worry” to rest and close the lid.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLV

God has a much better capacity for handling challenges successfully than we ever will. Afterall, He knows all our needs before we do and He has promised to never leave us or abandon us.

Why worry?

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The Soil & The Seed

This morning’s blog is a marriage of two thoughts. Complaining is a weed that will stifle our harvest of peace and spiritual growth.

I remember a time that I bought two identical plants. Took them home and repotted them, set them on the watering system so they both got the same amount of water. They sat side by side in the sun. Everything was exactly the same except for the soil and the soil effected the production of the plant.

The Prophet Hosea, the Apostle Paul and Jesus have some important instruction that will help us all to be more fruitful.

“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’” Hosea 10:12 NLT

You see the plants that I thought were identical had one difference. One had been put in a pot with old, hard soil and the other in a pot with new, fresh soil. Soil makes a difference.

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Matthew 13:3-9 NLT

“The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.” Matthew 13:20-22 NLT

The problem wasn’t with the seed; it was with the soil. God’s word is the seed, our hearts are the soil.

“ If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” I Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT

Paul is giving strong admonition to the Christians in Corinth. Don’t let the temptation to complain and murmur about your circumstances cause you to stray from the Lord.

Their ancestors had seen all of God’s power when He delivered them from Egypt; crossing the Red Sea; living under the pillar of cloud by day; eating manna from heaven; drinking water from a rock and still they complained and rebelled.

Good word for today. How many times a day do we find ourselves complaining about something? How many times are we trusting in our own strength and not His?

It’s time we break up the hard ground, pull some weeds and give the seed of God’s word room to grow!

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A New Beginning

Today’s the beginning of a new month. Never again will there be a first day of September 2026.

Let’s look at a couple of verses about beginning.

“In the beginning God…” Genesis 1:1a

In the beginning of creation – In the beginning of my life – In the beginning of my current situation – In the beginning GOD! God was there at the very beginning. He will be there halfway through and He will be there at the end!

He has chosen to invest Himself in my life, in my world, in my total existence. Stop and think, meditate, and ponder deeply these words for a few minutes.

“The Word (Christ) was in the beginning. The Word was with God. The Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 He made all things. Nothing was made without Him making it.” John 1:1-3 NLV

He hasn’t pulled back yet and He won’t. He will continue to be involved in all He has created for all eternity – He is the eternal, the everlasting God and Father. And He’s here for you, because He loves you!

Now let’s look at another verse.

“The one who has spoken these things says, ‘I am coming soon!’ So, Lord Jesus, please come soon! 21 I pray that the Lord Jesus will be kind to all of you.” Revelation 22:20-21

It should give you great joy to know that He is coming soon. Yes, with all the uncertainty in the world one thing is certain, He is coming soon. He was and is and will continue to be kind to all. That’s the reason He came – out of love He became our substitute, the sacrifice for our sins so that we can be reconciled to the Father. Forgiveness is ours; new life is ours, restoration is ours – we simply need to receive it as the free gift that it is.

As you focus on your beginning, you’ll find God and as you look to the end you will see that He’s coming quickly and reaching out to us in kindness.

This new beginning, this first day of September 2026, is a day of purpose. A day filled with promise for the future.

“ For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will look for Me and find Me, when you look for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLV

Blessings to you this day and this new month.

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No Matter Where

I love how you can see God’s work all around – each day there are new reminders of His amazing love. The songs of the birds at the ocean are different from the ones in the desert but they are sweet just the same.

The sound of the waves coming to the shore is as exciting as the sight of the sunrise or sunset that captivate me each day at home.

The earth is truly filled with the glory of God!

“The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. 2 Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next. 3 They don’t speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice. 4 Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world. In the heavens a tent is set up for the sun. 5 It rises like a bridegroom and gets ready like a hero eager to run a race. 6 It travels all the way across the sky. Nothing hides from its heat.

7 The Law of the Lord is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people. 8 The Lord’s instruction is right; it makes our hearts glad. His commands shine brightly, and they give us light. 9 Worshiping the Lord is sacred; he will always be worshiped. All of his decisions are correct and fair.

10 They are worth more than the finest gold and are sweeter than honey from a honeycomb. 11 By your teachings, Lord, I am warned; by obeying them, I am greatly rewarded. 12 None of us know our faults. Forgive me when I sinwithout knowing it.

13 Don’t let me do wrong on purpose, Lord, or let sin have control over my life. Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault.” 14 Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, Lord, because you are my mighty rock and my protector.” Psalm 27 CEV

May your day be filled with seeing the Lord’s majesty and filling your heart with wonder, No matter where you are!

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In the Midst of the Storm

This morning when I opened my computer I was taken back by the images of the destruction in Nepal. And now for days and weeks ahead they will be recovering.

Others are facing storms that aren’t pictured on the news, the devastation may be visible but not captured by a lens or it may be internal and can’t be seen at all.

Whatever kind of storm you may be facing let God bring you peace.

“ Suddenly a windstorm struck the lake. Waves started splashing into the boat, and it was about to sink. 38 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 4:37-39 CEV

Let God bring you peace in the midst of your storm. Keep your focus on His presence and not the size of the waves!

Peace – perfect peace!

When we’re in turmoil, confusion, stress we need to readjust our focus. I’ve heard it said that Christians just put their heads in the sand and don’t look at things right. Not true, our heads aren’t in the sand but instead they are in the air. When our focus is up, we will be in perfect peace even in the worst circumstances.

“The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NLV

Re-adjust your focus today. Looking at things the way the rest of the world does blurs the truth and causes you to “try” to fix things yourself. Being self-centered is a true recipe for disaster. Being God-centered is a place of peace and rest.

“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. 4 So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].” Isaiah 26:3-4 AMP

Make God’s word the first and final source of focus and live a life of peace even in the midst of the storm!

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Out of Balance

Practical. God is practical.

Everything He does has balance. Gravity, sunrise, sunset, changing seasons; earth, sky and water created before fish, plants and animals. Sun produces light and heat, the moon on reflects light and no heat. Balance.

What is out of balance and impractical about God is His unconditional love!

It doesn’t matter what we do or don’t do, God’s love for us will be the same. (Now that doesn’t mean He approves of everything we do, not in the slightest but He always loves us.)

Men won’t go to hell because God hates them. They will go because they don’t accept His gift of love and His sacrifice for them.

But let’s look at how God expects us to put His love in action. Since we have Christ living in us it’s His love that should be flowing out of us.

” Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful.

16 Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:14-17 ERV

The most important thing we can do is love God and one another. Love brings us to a place of peace. When we love we know that we have done all God has asked of us and we are responsible to let God do the rest. When we trust God to do what only He can do we can be thankful because He definitely has the talent and capability of handling His part.

We love not because those around us deserve our love but because God first loved us and so we can extend that love to others. It makes our Father happy to see us acting like Him.

I’m not asking you to go out and love the whole world today but I am asking that you extend God’s love to your co-worker, your neighbor, your child or spouse or sibling.

Love unconditionally the way God loves you. Being out of balance isn’t practical but it is beneficial.

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Learning from a New Source

I am thankful for God’s love and strength today. Each morning when I get up, hear the birds singing and see the dawn I am grateful. Yesterday another one of God’s creatures reminded me of the Father’s faithfulness. He was just swimming in the harbor. He wasn’t distressed or anxious over the events of the day. He just swam by to say hello. All of creation has its own way of seeing God provide.

In my reading I was confronted with the strength we have been given to live the Christian life. We can’t do it on our own, but we are able to live this life victoriously through Christ because He has promised to be our provider of all that we need to be victorious.

“He gives us everything we need for life and for holy living. He gives it through His great power. As we come to know Him better, we learn that He called us to share His own shining-greatness and perfect life. 4 Through His shining-greatness and perfect life, He has given us promises. These promises are of great worth and no amount of money can buy them. Through these promises you can have God’s own life in you now that you have gotten away from the sinful things of the world which came from wrong desires of the flesh.” II Peter 1:3-4 NLV

“Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. 11 In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian. It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.

12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. 14 Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:8-14 ERV

Hold your temper, be humble, show mercy and forgive quickly. Not easy things to do but since Christ lives in us we can draw on His strength and find it more than enough for each day.

He has given us this new life and has equipped us with all we need.

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Who Do You Trust?

This morning finds me sitting on the harbor enjoying the cool morning air. We will be on vacation for another week and are spending time resting and relaxing on our son’s boat. So, for the next days’ my blog may be inconsistent, but you are always in my morning prayers.

“Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray over my many friends on facebook. Some are experiencing great pain and sorrow in their lives, others are facing some of the greatest financial challenges ever, still others are seeing those they love hurt and realtionships destroyed. There are those who need to make right decisions, decisions of life and death, and those who need physical protection from very real enemies. Yes, Father and there are those who have waited years to see answers to prayer who are growing weary – it is for all of these that I am praying this morning.

Let your peace rule in their lives; let them know your presence, protection and provision. Let them see that you are here and have promised to never leave them or forsake them; let them rest and trust in you.

Thank you for your answers; your word; your great love and thank you that it’s not you who has created these problems but that you are the problem solver. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer, in Jesus name.”

This prayer for you was prompted from my reading from Psalms this morning. It’s amazing how something written thousands of years ago can be so contemporary.

“ Hallelujah!
    O my soul, praise God!
All my life long I’ll praise God,
    singing songs to my God as long as I live.

3-9 Don’t put your life in the hands of experts
    who know nothing of life, of salvation life.
Mere humans don’t have what it takes;
    when they die, their projects die with them.
Instead, get help from the God of Jacob,
    put your hope in God and know real blessing!
God made sky and soil,
    sea and all the fish in it.
He always does what he says—
    he defends the wronged,
    he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners—
    he gives sight to the blind,
    he lifts up the fallen.
God loves good people, protects strangers,
    takes the side of orphans and widows,
    but makes short work of the wicked.

10 God’s in charge—always.
    Zion’s God is God for good!
    Hallelujah!” Psalm 146 MSG

In God we trust – He is always in charge!!

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Don’t Rush – Rest!

How often have we all driven down the highway and seen those signs, “Rest Stop Ahead”? Most of us just keep driving. But it’s important to rest!

So many things vie for our attention. Demands come from career, from family, from current events and also from our own desires. Things happen so quickly it seems and we are caught up in another crisis and if not a crisis, just caught up in life. When life gets hectic like this, we react to circumstances instead of planning a course of action.

There’s no peace in that!

And if there’s no peace then we also know that we haven’t given the Lord permission to direct our steps. We need to be led by His Spirit so that we make wise and deliberate decisions; decisions that bring peace and joy.

I encourage you to stay focused today. Focused on God’s word and His promises.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you. 4 So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah you have a place of safety forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 ERV

The Apostle Paul was giving final instruction to the christians in Rome and this was his instruction.

“I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.” Romans 15:13 ERV

Check your heart in every situation. Are you at peace or is there turmoil? If there’s peace, then proceed and trust the Lord’s leading. If not, then wait – pray and don’t be in rush!

“You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. 6 You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright. 7 I praise you, Lord, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind. 8 I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. 9 With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.” Psalm 16:5-9 CEV

“Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help.” Psalm 27:14 ERV

Enjoy your day and let the peace of God which bypasses our understanding guard your heart!

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