Category: Blessings

Posted on

Yes and Amen!

One more morning blog on the promises of God.

The little chorus I sang as a child goes like this. “Every promise in the book is mine, Every chapter every verse every line. All are blessings of His love divine. Every promise in the book is mine.”

The Apostle Paul put it like this:

“All of God’s promises have their yes in him. That is why we say Amen through him to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 1:20

Somebody needs this this morning. I just love it when God wants to minister to someone and He decides to use me to bring the message.

When God makes a promise He keeps it because simply put, God cannot lie. What promise has God made you that you haven’t seen come to pass yet? Don’t get weary, stand strong it will happen!!

Joseph had a dream that all his brothers would bow down to him one day. He had that dream as a 17 year old and then his brothers sold him into slavery because of their jealousy. I’m sure Joseph was beginning to wonder how God was going to make this all come about but he knew God was with him.

“The traders who bought Joseph took him down to Egypt. They sold him to the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, Potiphar. 2 The LORD helped Joseph become a successful man. Joseph lived in the house of his master, Potiphar the Egyptian. 3 Potiphar saw that the LORD was with Joseph and that the LORD helped Joseph be successful in everything he did.” Genesis 39:1-3

Then there’s Abraham who had God’s promise that he would be the father of many nations. He had this promise from God and had to wait 25 years to see if come to pass. During that time he hoped against hope, knowing that God was faithful. At age 100 he saw God’s promise come to pass.

What about Noah? He was told by God that it was going to rain and he needed to build an ark and collect two of every kind of animal. In all the time that it took to build the ark, he kept preaching, waiting for his neighbors to repent because God was going to send the rain and it had never rained before. The neighbors never repented but God sent the rain. Promise kept.

I will ask again what promise has God made you?

“My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:13

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:19

“Great shall be the peace of thy children for they are taught of the Lord.” Isaiah 54:13

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue that rises up against you, you shall condemn for this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;” Psalm 103:2-3

“Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God believe also in me” John 14:1

“The thief cometh not but for to steal, kill and destroy but I am come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

I’m not sure if your promise is in this list but if it isn’t add it. God will keep His word; He is faithful to a thousand generations. He hasn’t lied in the past and He’s not going to start now by lying to you.

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! Your answer is yes and it’s just about here.

Posted on

Stacking Stones

Recently I have been reading through the book of Joshua, again. It’s one of my favorite Old Testament books. I have a book in my small library entitled “Victorious Christian Living” by Alan Redpath. It’s a study in the book of Joshua written in 1953, the year I was born so that somehow seems significant. (There are copies available on Ebay, if you’re interested.)

Well…back to this morning’s blog.

One of the first instructions Joshua received when crossing into the Promised Land was to establish a monument of God’s faithfulness.

“ After all the people had crossed the Jordan River, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 ‘Choose twelve men, one from each tribe. 3 Tell them to look in the river where the priests were standing and get twelve rocks from that place. Carry these rocks with you and put them where you stay tonight.’

4 So Joshua chose one man from each tribe. Then he called the twelve men together. 5 He said to them, ‘Go out into the river where the Holy Box of the Lord your God is. Each of you must find one rock. There will be one rock for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Carry that rock on your shoulder. 6 These rocks will be a sign for you. In the future, your children will ask you, ‘What do these rocks mean?’ 7 You will tell them that the Lord stopped the water from flowing in the Jordan River. When the Holy Box of the Lord’s Agreement crossed the river, the water stopped flowing. These rocks will help the Israelites remember this forever.’” Joshua 4:1-7 ERV

These rocks will help Israel remember forever.

Do you have a stack of stones, whether physical or mental, that you have stacked to remember forever marvelous things that God has done in your life. Times of rescue? Circumstances miraculously changing for your protection and good? Places you have moved or jobs you have taken that you knew were the Lord’s provision?

There are a number of times in my life that I have stacked some stones. The time when God’s promise to never leave me or abandon me became an indelible truth. Then again, in my deepest heart break when the Lord’s promise to heal my broken heart and give me peace that bypassed my understanding became my firm foundation. I could go on for hours telling you of the times I stopped to stack the stones.

“21 Then Joshua told the Israelites, ‘In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these rocks mean?’ 22 Tell them, ‘These rocks help us remember the way the people of Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry land.’” Joshua 4:21-22 ERV

I think it’s no coincidence that Jesus left a “stone of remembrance” of His own.

“Suddenly an angel of the Lord came from the sky, and there was a huge earthquake. The angel went to the tomb and rolled the stone away from the entrance. Then he sat on top of the stone.” Matthew 28:2 ERV

That stone had been set in place to keep Jesus in but once it was rolled away it could be used as a monument to the power of His resurrection!

May I encourage you to take some time and stack some stones today. With each stone, thank the Lord for His promises and His provision.

Posted on

God Uses the Unusable

Do you know who Rahab was? She was a prostitute who lived in Jericho. Would you be surprised if I told you she was used of God to aid the Israelites in their destruction of that city? Talk about using some who was considered unusable – it would be her story.

Rahab’s home was on the city wall. I don’t know if there was a red-light district in Jericho but immediately upon entering the city of Jericho, the spies Joshua sent out went to Rahab’s house. I guess that they felt strangers going to the house of a harlot wouldn’t garner much attention because certainly there must be a steady stream of men going in and out of her house. But the arrival of two Israelites in Jericho didn’t go unnoticed.

The king sent and questioned Rahab as to where the spies were and she lied saying that they must have already left the city and if the king sent soldiers after them, they could probably catch up with the spies. She had hid them on her roof under the drying flax.

Rahab told the spies that the people of Jericho had lived in fear of the Israelites since they heard of how the Lord parted the Red Sea for them and then helped them defeat the kings, Og and Sihon in the wilderness.

“She said, “I know that the LORD has given this land to your people. You frighten us. Everyone living in this country is afraid of you. 10 We are afraid because we have heard about the ways that the LORD helped you. We heard that he dried up the Red Sea when you came out of Egypt… 13 Tell me that you will allow my family to live—my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all their families. Promise me that you will save us from death.” Joshua 2:9-13

I think it’s interesting that her country lived in fear for the past 40 years – since they heard about the Red Sea parting and yet, the Israelites had been walking around in the wilderness for 40 years afraid of the giants in the land on the other side of the Jordan. The report of God’s ability to fight for Israel had left their enemies in mortal fear and yet the Israelites didn’t have faith in God’s word but rather “considered” the giants in the land.

“ The spies said: You made us promise to let you and your family live. We will keep our promise, but you can’t tell anyone why we were here. You must tie this red rope on your window when we attack, and your father and mother, your brothers, and everyone else in your family must be here with you.” Joshua 2:17-20

A few days after the spies returned to their camp, Joshua set the battle plan in order and the Israelites took Jericho and everyone in the city was destroyed except for Rahab and her family. Not one Israelite died in the battle.

The Israelites had lived in fear of the giants in the promised land but the people in the promised land had lived in fear of God.

What giants are keeping you from God’s promised land today? What is it that seems so large, that you can’t conquer it? “Consider not” the giant that has paralyzed you in the past but instead consider God’s promise of blessing. When you put your faith in God and His word, He will go before you and cause you to rise victorious.

God loves using those who the world thinks are unusable.

Posted on

Don’t Be a Grumpy Giver

Have you ever noticed that most of the images we see of “Grumpy the Dwarf” have his hands tightly folded across his chest?

Did you know it’s hard to give when your arms are locked?

Gratitude is expressed by giving thanks. That’s what I saw King David doing as his life was nearing the end. He gave his possessions and he gave his gratitude. His son Solomon had been chosen by the Lord to be the next king and to build the Temple.

“ I am making a special gift of gold and silver things for my God’s Temple. I am doing this because I really want the Temple of my God to be built... 4 I have given 110 tons of pure gold from Ophir. I have given 263 tons of pure silver. Now, how many of you Israelites are ready to give yourselves to the Lord today?” … 9 The people were very happy because their leaders were willing to give so much. The leaders had given freely to the Lord from good hearts. King David was also very happy.” I Chronicles 29:3-9 ERV

King David gave of the massive wealth that he accumulated over the years of his reign. Gifts from other nations and the spoils of war. And then he led the people in this prayer.

“David said, ‘Lord, the God of Israel, our Father, may you be praised forever and ever!
11 Greatness, power, glory, victory, and honor belong to you, because everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you! The kingdom belongs to you, Lord! You are the head, the Ruler over everything. 12 Riches and honor come from you. You rule everything… And in your hand is the power to make anyone great and powerful!
13 Now, our God, we thank you, and we praise your glorious name! 14 All these things didn’t come from me and my people. All these things come from you. We are only giving back to you things that came from you. 15 We are only strangers traveling through this world like our ancestors…We build it to honor your name. But all these things have come from you. Everything belongs to you.
17 My God, I know that you test people, and that you are happy when people do what is right.
I gladly give you all these things with a pure, honest heart. I see your people gathered here, and I see that they are happy about giving these things to you.” verses 10-17 ERV

If we’re not careful, we have a tendency to be possessive. “I worked hard for this. I only have a little I can’t give. What difference does my little offering make?” Let Jesus answer that.

“ Then a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth less than a penny. 43 Jesus called his followers to him and said, ‘This poor widow put in only two small coins. But the truth is, ‘she gave more than all those rich people.‘” Mark 2:42-43 ERV

The Lord loves that we express our gratitude by giving.

“ Each one of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give. You should not give if it makes you unhappy or if you feel forced to give. God loves those who are happy to give.” II Corinthians 9:7 ERV

Give from a grateful heart. Don’t be a grumpy giver!

Posted on

Good Things

This morning I want to bring you some good things from the Scriptures – things like peace, joy, protection, healing, forgiveness, strength and wisdom.

Yes, all these things are brought to you by God from His word.

Peace:

“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

Joy:

“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

Protection:

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful. 2 Then you will say to the Lord, “You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.” 3 The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. 4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall.” Psalm 91:1-4 CEV

Healing and Forgiveness:

“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

Strength:

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

Wisdom:

“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. 6 But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. ” James 1:5-6 CEV

Each day the Lord’s blessings and mercy are new. Let Him show you how good He is and how much He desires to carry your burdens.

“Praise the Lord! Every day he helps us with the loads we must carry. He is the God who saves us. Selah 20 He is our God, the God who saves us. My Lord God saves us from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 ERV

Now, I hope you will sit and savor the “Good Things” our Father has given you!

Posted on

In the Midst of Winter

Hearing of the storms that are blanketing the nation, I know that winter can be a treacherous time for many.

Living in North Idaho and Montana we saw our fair share of snow and freezing temperatures. Nothing uncommon there. The evergreens would be flocked with snow and the deciduous trees had their bare branches covered with ice and their trunks packed with white. They looked stark and dead.

The young saplings were protected since they grew close to the base of the larger trees. The mind set of those facing such harsh conditions was Spring can’t come soon enough.

Winter comes to all of our lives both spiritually and physically. Winter is a time of resting, a time to rejuvenate; it’s not a time of death. Spring will come shortly and new life with break out.

“As long as the earth continues, there will always be a time for planting and a time for harvest. There will always be cold and hot, summer and winter, day and night on earth.” Genesis 8:23 ERV

If you feel like you’re in winter – cold, dormant and unproductive, take heart! God is working in you and through you. You haven’t been abandoned or deserted. New signs of growth will spring forth soon.

“Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. 2 Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. 3 So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream—a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful.” Psalm 1:1-3 ERV

As I was finishing this writing, a song from my time at high school summer camps came to mind, “Pass It On”.

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That’s how it is with God’s Love,
Once you’ve experienced it,
You spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.

What a wonderous time is spring,
When all the tress are budding
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you’ve experienced it.
You want to sing, it’s fresh like spring,
You want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I’ve found;
You can depend on God
It matters not where you’re bound,
I’ll shout it from the mountain top – PRAISE GOD!
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.”

In the midst of your winter, remember Spring will be breaking out very soon! Pass It On!!

Posted on

The Note

I got up this morning thinking about what I needed to do today. The item at the top of my list is write thank-you’s.

Acknowledgement and appreciation is important. Without them we could develop an attitude of entitlement and selfishness. As a child, Mom made sure that we wrote our grandparents and other family members when they gave us a gift. Christmas, birthdays, graduations, etc. never passed without her nudging of “did you write your thank-yous”.

For as long as I can remember I have verbalized my gratitude when someone does something they don’t have to and assist me or make my job easier but saying “Thank you. I really appreciate that.” Those are not empty words, they are not cliche. They are a heartfelt expression of gratitude.

Why am I telling you this? Glad you asked.

I realized this morning that I do this very thing everyday when I write in my journal. Nearly every day the first two words I write are “thank You”… That’s probably the reason I spend so much time in the Psalms. David and the other writers continually expressed their thanks to the Lord.

“Praise the name of the Lord! He is kind and good.” Psalm 135:3 CEV

“Praise the Lord! He is good. God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:1 CEV

“ Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 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.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Gratitude removes worry and brings peace. Thankfulness puts our eyes on the blessing and the One who gave it to us and not on our own limitations.

Just yesterday I was reading about the miracle of the ten lepers who asked Jesus to heal them. It’s an interesting story of thankfulness.

“As he was going into a village, ten men with leprosy came toward him. They stood at a distance 13 and shouted, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’

14  Jesus looked at them and said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ On their way they were healed. 15 When one of them discovered that he was healed, he came back, shouting praises to God. 16 He bowed down at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” Luke 17:13-16 CEV

Ten men were cleansed, only one came back to thank Jesus for what He had done. Look at Jesus’ reaction:

“17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Luke 17:17-19 AKJV

There’s a difference between being cleansed and being made whole. Cleansed or healed means the leprosy was gone. The dead and rotting flesh was healed but the man who returned with the grateful heart was made whole. This word indicates that missing body parts had been restored – instead of stubby fingers, whole fingers replaced them. Instead of a nose partially there, a “whole”ness came.

A miracle for sure. Healing and wholeness!

Write a note – say thank you – give glory to God and let the healing power of God’s love flow, unlimited power and peace!

Thank you for reading each morning, I really appreciate it.

Posted on

Blessing of a Clean Slate

Happy New Year – A new year brings new hope.

Some of you have accepted Christ as your Savior this last year, this year is filled with new things as you start your walk with the Lord. Some of you came back to the Lord after being a prodigal – off doing your own thing – and this year is filled with new hope. Others of us have experienced trials and testing and have grown stronger in the Lord and this year holds new excitement and anticipation as we wait to see how our mighty God will move again.

“I heard a loud voice shout from the throne: God’s home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. 4 He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.

5 Then the one sitting on the throne said: I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted. 6 Everything is finished! I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give water from the life-giving fountain to everyone who is thirsty. 7 All who win the victory will be given these blessings. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Revelation 21:3-7

As John recorded these words in the next to the final chapter in the Bible, we see God repeating that He WILL live with us and our past WILL be gone forever and our future with Him will be perfect – we win!

“So surely the blood sacrifice of Christ can do much more. Christ offered himself through the eternal Spirit as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will make us completely clean from the evil we have done. It will give us clear consciences so that we can worship the living God.” Hebrews 9:14 ERV

No, I’m not predicting the end of the world, just the end of a year. In front of us are new days with new hope, new excitement, new victories and new life in Christ.

“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.” II Corinthians 5:17-18

Praise God for the blessing of a clean slate!

Posted on

My Favorite Present

Do you remember being a kid and going out to play with your friends the days following Christmas?

Some kids had new bikes, others had skateboards, some had new dolls or kitchen sets, and some had new shotguns. Most everyone was excited to “show off” what they had. But some didn’t say much – finances at home had been tight and their Christmas presents were new socks or a jacket, a couple pair of new jeans or sneakers. Some gifts brought joy and others an element of embarrassment. I remember both of those kinds of Christmases.

This morning the verses that came to mind were verses on singing. Nothing to be ashamed of here.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness!  Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:1-3 ESV

The gift of God’s presence is one of the greatest presents ever, His presence is our present!

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV

He is our Shepherd. He leads us, He guides us, He causes us to rest, He protects us!

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2  He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;  your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4 ESV

The “presence”, presents, of God are something to sing about. As His children we have bragging rights directed at our Father’s goodness.

“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:1-3 ESV

Because Jesus came, we have the message of the Father’s love. Because Jesus died, we receive forgiveness of sin and we are welcome in the Father’s presence

“ Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25 CEV

Jesus made us a present to the Father and in turn, the Father gave us His presence. My favorite present!

Posted on

Basket of Blessings

Thanking the Father for his love and protection today.

If you drive safely to work and home each day, be thankful. If your children arrive home from school each day be thankful. If you have enough money in your purse for groceries, be thankful. If your house is warm and your clothes are adequate, be thankful!

The cornucopia is also called a horn of plenty. It was a basket filled with the richness of the harvest. It was a reminder of the blessings of the year. I used to have one on my dining table every year, it reminded me to be thankful for so many things.

Living in a tiny house there is no dining table and no horn of plenty, but the gratitude is greater than ever. So much to be thankful for, so many blessings. This is the 14th day of November, I hope you have been adding something each day to the list of things you are grateful for.

Here are a few things from Scripture that you can add to the list:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever. 2 Let Israel say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.”

5 I cried to the Lord in my trouble, and He answered me and put me in a good place. 6 The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid of what man can do to me. 7 The Lord is with me. He is my Helper. I will watch those lose who fight against me. 8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in rulers.” Psalm 118:1-9 NLV

Build a basket of blessings.

“ You must take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you gather from the land the Lord your God gives you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to have His name.” Deuteronomy 26:2 NLV

A blessing basket can be filled with notes of times you know the Lord provided and protected. It can have pictures of those you love and special memories of when you felt the love and goodness of God in your life and to your family.

Share the notes and memories around your table.

“I pray that you will be giving thanks to the Father. He has made it so you could share the good things given to those who belong to Christ who are in the light. 13 God took us out of a life of darkness. He has put us in the holy nation of His much-loved Son.” Colossians 1:12-13 NLV

“I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart. I will tell of all the great things You have done. 2 I will be glad and full of joy because of You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2 NLV

Blessed to be a blessing! May your basket of blessings be full and overflowing!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress