Category: Character

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There’s Something About a Sunrise

One of the privileges of rising early is seeing some of the most beautiful unobstructed sunrises!

I remember the one pictured here. It was a brisk July morning and we were in the White Mountains of Arizona. We were summer camp hosts at Rainbow Campground, Big Lake. Our campground had been evacuated because of fire danger. All the campers had been moved off the mountain and the hosts had all been moved to one campground where we had the best ingress and egress in case we needed to evacuate quickly.

It was a tense time. Occasionally we would see smoke plumes rising from the mountain tops in the distance. There was no rain. The danger was real. Internet access was spotty. In fact, we would have to drive from the campground to the other side of the lake where the signal was stronger and I could upload my morning blog.

This is the sunrise from one of those mornings. We had driven through a treed area unable to see it until we rounded the bend and there before us, the sky was filled with the glory of God’s sun, rising to meet the day!

Four words come to mind: faithfulness, thankfulness, and everlasting love!

The faithfulness of God that every day He sends a sunrise and a sunset. It proves His power and majesty. Thankfulness – that in all of creation He knows my name and takes notice of me. Everlasting love – not an emotional “fall in/fall out” of love but an everlasting love. A love that never ends.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.

4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
5 Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
8 the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
9 and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever...

23 He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever.
24 He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136 NLT

Are you feeling unloved – lost in your struggle? His faithful love endures forever!

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” I Corinthians 13:7 NLT

Needing answers and there seem to be none? His faithful love endures forever!

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13 NLT

As long as there is a sunrise, it will be a reminder that God’s love will last forever!!

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What Fills the Cup

A few weeks ago, I did a teaching on “My Cup Runs Over” from the verse in Psalm 23:5.

We know it is the Lord who pours into the cup but have you ever stopped to ask, “what fills the cup”.

“ Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He then gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and drink it. 28  This is my blood, and with it God makes his agreement with you. It will be poured out, so that many people will have their sins forgiven. 29 From now on I am not going to drink any wine, until I drink new wine with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:27-29 CEV

Christ told His disciples that His blood would be poured out for us. Poured into our cups, filling us with His forgiveness.

The Apostle Paul wrote to several of the churches about this “cup running over” filling we receive in Christ.

” God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. 23 The church is the body of Christ and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.” Ephesians 1:22-23 CEV

“I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” Ephesians 3:19 CEV

“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

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” John 10:10 AMP

Now I’ll be honest with you, when I woke up this morning, I really didn’t want to read my Bible. But what I did tell the Father at the beginning of my prayer was that I wanted to have a greater capacity for Him in my life.

We can’t have more of God because God fills us completely when we become new creations in Him. What we can have more of is understanding and we can remove those things we selfishly hold on to and have a greater capacity to experience His love, power and forgiveness.

John the Baptist was the man of the hour. Everyone was coming to the river to be baptized by him. His ministry was becoming renown; his fame was spreading. One day his followers came to him and told him that someone else was preaching and baptizing and all the people were beginning to follow the new guy. John said:

“At a wedding the groom is the one who gets married. The best man is glad just to be there and to hear the groom’s voice. That’s why I am so glad. 30 Jesus must become more important, while I become less important.” John 3:29-30 CEV

That’s how we become filled and running over with the presence of God. He must become more important and I must become less. We all have the capacity to be filled and running over with the love of God!

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The Debt of Love

Just recently we received our tax bill from the County. I don’t know why it should surprise me because it comes every year, but sometimes it catches me off guard. Two days ago, I went online and paid it. That action was fresh in my thinking when I read these verses this morning.

There is one indebtedness we should deal with on a daily basis.

“Give everyone what you owe them. If you owe them any kind of tax, then pay it. Show respect to those you should respect. And show honor to those you should honor.

8 You should owe nothing to anyone, except that you will always owe love to each other. The person who loves others has done all that the law commands. 9 The law says, ‘You must not commit adultery, you must not murder anyone, you must not steal, you must not want what belongs to someone else.’ All these commands and all other commands are really only one rule: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.‘ 10 Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law. 11 I say this because you know that we live in an important time. Yes, it is now time for you to wake up from your sleep. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:7-11 ERV

The Apostle Paul wrote these words from Rome while he was a prisoner, unjustly accused. If anyone had the right to be bitter, resentful and vindictive he did. Instead, he used his time encouraging, instructing and giving hope to those around him.

Paul learned this from Jesus.

He knew how the religious elite tried to trip Jesus up by asking which of God’s commands was the greatest.

“He said, ‘Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?’ 37 Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and most important command. 39 And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ 40 All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands.” Matthew 22:36-40 ERV

And then there were these words of Jesus spoken from the cross.

“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 ERV

On the cross Jesus showed the ultimate expression of love. We owed a debt for our sin, but we were unable to pay it because none of us are perfect. But Jesus, the perfect lamb of God, paid the debt for us. He showed His love for the Father and for us, His neighbor, for all the world to see.

Paul never lost sight of that sacrifice, and he wanted everyone who read his words to remember that we also have a debt of love.

“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. 35 All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” John 13:34-35 ERV

It’s not a debt that we can pay with our checkbooks or credit cards. It is more costly than that. We pay the debt of love with our obedience and our daily living.

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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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Words of Life

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me! Where did that ever come from – it sure wasn’t the Bible!

I remember hearing that and saying that when I was a child but it’s far from the truth. Words can hurt or they can heal. Words can bring life or death, it’s up to us to decide.

Not every bad or dirty word is a cuss word. Words of criticism, gossip, ridicule, slander, embarrassment are all “bad’ words. Words that twist the truth to make me look better or less responsible for a wrong doing are “bad” words. Blaming someone else for my mistakes or faults are bad words.

“When you talk, don’t say anything bad. But say the good things that people need—whatever will help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you.” Ephesians 4:29 ERV

Disagreeing with someone or correcting them aren’t bad words unless they are meant to hurt or ridicule.

“Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. 17 The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.” II Timothy 3:16-17 CEV

God’s words are useful and good. They instruct us, they encourage us and they correct us. The words we speak should be the same.

Have you been saying bad words? Have relationships been broken? Have you been hurt by words? Words hurt but words can also heal.

“By the power of his own word, he healed you and saved you from destruction. 21 You should praise the Lord for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.” Psalm 107:20-21 CEV

“Your words can be as satisfying as fruit, as pleasing as the food that fills your stomach.21 The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.” Proverbs 18:20-21 ERV

I need to remind myself daily to speak words of blessing and words of life! When I do, I show that I am learning from my Father!

Let your words be sweet and honest. Let them bring life. Have a wonderful weekend!

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Reflect the Light

The last couple of evenings Dave and I have sat on the patio enjoying the cool evenings! It has been wonderful to smell the fresh air, see our surroundings turn slowly from night into day and rest in all that God has done and is doing in our lives.

As the sun was setting, I was reminded once again to reflect the light. The light of God’s love.

And the greatest of these is love! God’s love for us is beyond amazing. Jesus said to us that the greatest commandment was to love the Father and then love our neighbors.

“… So the Pharisees had a meeting. 35 Then one of them, an expert in the Law of Moses, asked Jesus a question to test him. 36 He said, ‘Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?’

37 Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and most important command. 39 And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ 40 All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands… None of the Pharisees could answer Jesus’ question. And after that day, no one was brave enough to ask him any more questions.” Matthew 22:34-46 CEV

The Pharisees were trying to test and even trick Jesus into a wrong answer; they were looking for something that would discredit him to his followers and better yet, something that would give them reason to prosecute him and silence him in public.

What Jesus did with his answer was discredit the Pharisees.

By giving the answer that He did, Jesus proved that their heart’s motive was anything but love. If they weren’t walking in love toward Him, their neighbor, they weren’t keeping the greatest commandment. He went on to correct them in their thinking about the Messiah as well. No wonder they decided not to ask Him anymore questions.

The Pharisees had all the outward trappings of religion and righteousness but their hearts were wrong. It was a self-righteousness and it was religion instead of relationship. Jesus was talking about a living relationship with the Father. As we spent time loving the Father we will reflect His love to others.

The moon has no light source in itself but it reflects the light of the sun. In the same way, as we spend time absorbing the Father’s love we will reflect that love to others. We can’t give what we don’t have – so as we receive more and more love from the Father we are able to love others more.

“Stay joined together with me, and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. 8 Show that you are my followers by producing much fruit. This will bring honor to my Father. 9 ‘I have loved you as the Father has loved me. Now continue in my love.'” John 15:7-9 ERV

The fruit we produce is love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness and self control. There is no law against this kind of fruit; in fact, it fulfills the law.

Father, I desire to love You with all that I am and then to reflect Your light, Your love to those around me today.

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Little Things

Do you ever feel like your daily routine is insignificant? Not a neurosurgeon, a first responder, a community influencer? If you weren’t around would anyone notice?

I want to take you to one of my favorite Scriptures for moments of thinking just like that.

“ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLV

God’s plans for us are not insignificant, they are designed perfectly for our benefit and to encourage and bless those around us. We don’t need a public pulpit to make an impact; there are lives we touch quietly each day who are recipients of the Father’s love shown through us.

Yesterday, our mail carrier told me how glad he was that I was back from my vacation. He said, “I look forward to our little visits”. I probably speak with him five minutes a day. But I listen and am always interested in his well-being. To him, that’s significant.

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:16-17 NLV

Whatever we do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus – wow! That’s a very important tasking. Do I get this right – not all the time. In fact, I fail more than I would like to admit. But I am also more successful than I used to be. The Holy Spirit is quick to correct me when I mess up and say or do something I shouldn’t. I truly appreciate that correction! I want to be a good ambassador for God’s kingdom.

“ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” II Corinthians 5:19-21 NLV

We have a message to deliver. A message of reconciliation – God is no longer counting people’s sins against them. Those sins have been paid for through Christ and we have been made right with God. Now, that’s no little thing.

“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NLV

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalm 143:8 NLV

So, today take pleasure in the little things. Small conversations, little acts of kindness, forgiveness shown, grace given. We are ambassadors of the King!

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Shine Jesus, Shine

For years I used to work to be “good enough” for God’s love. I, like a lot of people, wanted people and God to like me and I would work to that end. Leading Bible Studies, singing in the choir, baking cookies, doing all sorts of good works to get people to like me.

I would serve on committees and every place that a volunteer was needed to show the Lord and others my dedication to others to get them to “see” that I had a good heart and was a good Christian.

But one day the Lord instructed me from these verses in I Corinthians 3.

“And you are a house that belongs to God. 10 Like an expert builder I built the foundation of that house. I used the gift that God gave me to do this. Other people are building on that foundation. But everyone should be careful how they build. 11 The foundation that has already been built is Jesus Christ, and no one can build any other foundation. 12 People can build on that foundation using gold, silver, jewels, wood, grass, or straw. 13 But the work that each person does will be clearly seen, because the Day will make it plain. That Day will appear with fire, and the fire will test everyone’s work. 14 If the building they put on the foundation still stands, they will get their reward. 15 But if their building is burned up, they will suffer loss. They will be saved, but it will be like someone escaping from a fire.” I Corinthians 3:9b-15 ERV

I realized I was building with wood, grass and straw. My efforts were exactly that – my efforts. I wasn’t serving people for God’s glory and benefit but for my own. And it never seemed that I was doing enough…

The Father began to reveal to me how much He loved me. He loved me – not my works. It was ok to say “no” to some of the needs and let others fill them. The Father didn’t want me working “for Him” but serving “with Him”.

I didn’t have to earn His love! He loves me unconditionally and in that love I am free to serve because I want to and not because I have too.

It’s when we do that, serving and living life to glorify Him, that we begin to build with gold, silver and precious jewels. When we serve for us we will grow weary and discouraged. We get jealous and judgmental. (Remember Martha being upset because Mary wasn’t “serving”.)

So occasionally I have to inspect my building materials and ask the Lord to build a fire in my soul and burn off what isn’t acceptable. The good thing about gold is that the fire only purifies it – makes it more valuable. It isn’t consumed.

“Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns.” I Peter 1:7 CEV

As I finished writing this, a song we sang in the 1980’s came to mind: Shine Jesus, Shine

“Lord, I come to Your awesome presence
From the shadows into Your radiance
By the blood, I may enter Your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me

[Chorus]
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire…”

My desire is to shine for Him!

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Be a Steaming Cup

Sometimes I get caught up in my reading and writing in the morning and my coffee cools down. One thing I don’t like is lukewarm coffee. The other morning, I picked up my cup and took a big sip and immediately spit it back in the cup. Yuk!

I headed to the sink and dumped it out. Refilled my cup, took another drink, ahhh, nice and hot the way it should be.

That’s what I thought of while reading these verses from Revelation.

“Write this to the angel of the church in Laodicea: “Here is a message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of all that God has made.

15 ‘I know what you do. You are not hot or cold. I wish that you were hot or cold! 16 But you are only warm—not hot, not cold. So I am ready to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say you are rich. You think you have become wealthy and don’t need anything. But you don’t know that you are really miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I advise you to buy gold from me—gold made pure in fire. Then you will be rich. I tell you this: Buy clothes that are white. Then you will be able to cover your shameful nakedness. I also tell you to buy medicine to put on your eyes. Then you will be able to see.

19 “I correct and punish the people I love. So show that nothing is more important to you than living right. Change your hearts and lives. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me.” Revelation 3:14-20

Lukewarm Christians are not what Jesus is looking for. He would rather we be cold over being lukewarm.

He prefers that we be red-hot, on fire Christians serving Him but if not, don’t do it half way. Don’t fake it – that gives Christianity a bad name. Live a life that is distinguished – live different, set apart so that people will know that your life counts for God.

It has been my unfortunate experience to hear “If that’s what a Christian is or how they act, I don’t want to be one”.

He is standing at the door waiting to fellowship with us today. He wants to be invited into our home, into your life and develop in friendship and companionship with us. So many times, this verse is used as salvation invitation, but it is written to Christians to convey the depth of relationship that God wants to have with us.

He wants to be invited into our lives in a very real way. He stands at our life’s door, waiting to be invited in. He wants to be with us daily – to eat with us, to share life’s joys and sorrows, to bring us peace.

Let’s not be lukewarm! A life with Christ is a life where the steam of His love can be seen rising from our cups.

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Start Out Right

I normally wake up pleasant. Greeting the day with a smile, a prayer and a cup of coffee. But last night was one of the worst night’s of “unrest” that I’ve had in years. Up and down all night – confusing dreams – leg cramps – too hot – too cold.

Oh my. I hope I didn’t keep Dave awake.

But here’s the bright side. I can decide and have already decided that I’m not giving my day over to Grumpy. I’ve made an attitude adjustment! I’m not selling out my entire day.

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” I Peter 5:7 AMP

I’ve given the Lord my bad attitude and begun to give praise. Praise for having a bed with a roof over my head, praise that I got 2 good hours of sleep instead of none, gratitude for the cup of coffee that helps me greet each morning.

Praise God that I don’t have to go through the day the way I started out!

“ Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits— 3 Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy; 5 Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]!” Psalm 103:1-5 AMPC

Praising the Father for a day of victory instead of a day of defeat is the best way to start out right!

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Psalm 34:1-3 AMPC

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