Category: Confidence

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Easy & Light

There are some here around us that are preparing to head back north. It takes quite a bit to get their homes ready to be closed for the summer. The last few days its been quite warm and that’s only added to the weightiness of the chores.

Others of you are in the midst of securing new jobs and that, too, is a heavy undertaking. Any major life change can be a struggle.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. 30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The yoke in Jesus’ day linked two oxen together. They could work together to plow a field and the task would be lighter for both of them. Do you see the picture this paints?

But then Jesus goes on to say to “learn from me”. Jesus was referring to a time of training when a younger, less developed and mature ox was being trained to the plow. When the yoke went across its neck and shoulders the weight of the yoke would fall on the stronger, more mature. The stronger ox would be the one carrying the weight of the burden and the younger was just learning to walk the straight line through the field.

That’s what Jesus is asking us to do with Him. He wants us to be linked to him; He carries the load and we learn to walk the path that He walked. In every situation, Jesus turned to His Father and put the cares of the world in the Father’s hands. Even when it led to His death. Jesus didn’t try to figure it out in His own earthly mind but He brought every thought captive to the will of the Father.

“Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 NLV

Some of you are facing real struggles today. Jesus is calling you to “Come unto to me all you that are weary and heavy laden. I WILL GIVE YOU REST”.

Link up with Jesus today – rest is waiting.

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Time to Sing

Beautiful morning – the doves are cooing, finches are singing and the quail are talking. Perfect time for sipping my coffee and praising the God of all creation.

I’ve been asked a number of times how much time I spend reading God’s Word each day and my answer is the same. “Each day varies. I read until I hear God speak to me something that I can live by that day.”

Oh, I’ve had times when I’ve sat down and read chapter after chapter because it was on some Bible reading chart somewhere and then closed the book and gone my way completely unaffected because I couldn’t remember what I had read – just words on a page. And then there have been the times when I have read one or two verses and it has changed me completely. In those times, I know that God is speaking directly to me.

That’s why watching the birds and hearing them sing in the morning means so much to me.

“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? 27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the wildflowers in the field. See how they grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. 29 But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. 30 If God makes what grows in the field so beautiful, what do you think he will do for you? It’s just grass—one day it’s alive, and the next day someone throws it into a fire. But God cares enough to make it beautiful. Surely he will do much more for you. Your faith is so small!” Matthew 6:25-30 ERV

Reading the Bible is a two-way conversation between the Father and His child. Sometimes when we talk to our kids we know they haven’t heard a word we’ve said. It’s been good council, but they’ve been distracted or focused on other things and they just don’t listen.

Then there are those times when our kids ask our advice and are ready to listen. We can share life experience, memories and impart our knowledge to them. Those times are so sweet!

The same holds true for God and His word. The answer to every question is contained in this book and He’s waiting to share. That’s why these verses in Matthew are so important to me.

There have been times, more than I care to remember, when I worried over what we would eat and where we would have our family live but God in His faithfulness always provided! Sometimes the provision came from the generosity of friends, other times were almost miraculous.

God provides!

The birds singing each morning is a reminder to me of the Father’s faithfulness and love. I hope you have a song in your heart this morning – it’s time to sing!

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Great Joy

This was a weekend of great joy!

Our children blessed us with a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration and it was wonderful! Our oldest daughter is quite the party planner and she saw to every little detail. It was the first time in years that all our family had been together. Kids, grandkids and great – my mother’s heart was full and running over.

Dave and I aren’t the same young couple that said I do 50 years ago but the meaning of those words has never been stronger. I do promise to love you, I do promise to be your support and strength, I do promise not to leave, I do promise to keep you in the center of my heart and my prayers.

Like all older married couples life has given us up’s and down’s. A few we wondered how we would ever get through but God’s grace and time saw things change. Never give up on God’s abundant, amazing, flood of grace! There are promises from His word that have strengthened us and given us hope when we our hearts were broken.

So let me ask you this, are there things in your life that appear to be impossible or nearly impossible to change? Maybe not impossible but highly unlikely? Give them to the Lord – place them under His control.

God has a way of changing the impossible!

“Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke 1:37 CEV

I’ve learned over the years that part of that changing process begins in me. I have to begin to see things differently and have to get past being offended or intimidated. I have to be willing to change. The Father wants my heart to conform to His.

A boy was brought to Jesus who needed to be healed. The father had some doubt. He knew Jesus could do it but he wasn’t sure Jesus would.

“Jesus said to the father, ‘Why did you say ‘if you can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father shouted, ‘I do believe. Help me to believe more!’” Mark 9:23-24 ERV

Sometimes we just need to be honest with God, recognize our own weakness and limitation and then say “Help me believe more”.

Jesus’ own disciples doubted on many occasions. There were storms to overcome. Jesus calmed the storms and brought peace. He wants to do the same in our lives. Whether you’re married 50 years or 5; unmarried and facing a new career or move – God is faithful!

With God all things are possible!

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Shaking in the Wind

Yesterday afternoon we had friends stop by for a visit. It was so good to see them, we always enjoy our time with them.

Somewhere in the conversation we began to talk about hurricanes and tornadoes and the fierce winds that come with them. This morning that conversation ties in with my Bible reading.

“When news reached the royal palace that Syria had joined forces with Israel, King Ahaz and everyone in Judah were so terrified that they shook like trees in a windstorm.

3 Then the Lord said to me: Take your son Shearjashub and go see King Ahaz. You will find him on the road near the cloth makers’ shops at the end of the canal that brings water from the upper pool. 4 Tell Ahaz to stop worrying. There’s no need for him to be afraid of King Rezin and King Pekah. They are very angry, but they are nothing more than a dying fire. Ahaz doesn’t need to fear” Isaiah 7:2-4 CEV

I’ve seen those trees shake in the wind. And there are times when I have felt fear that has shaken me to my very core. I know, you have too!

There are no words to express the sense of relief and comfort that come from hearing the Lord’s voice say “Stop worrying, there’s no need to fear”.

I struggled for years with fear. Fear of unknown circumstances, fear of people’s opinions, fear of failure. I remember being on a camping trip and we were warned of bears in the area – that brought a whole new kind of fear.

Fear can be immobilizing.

“ Late in the afternoon, when the breeze began to blow, the man and woman heard the Lord God walking in the garden. So they hid behind some trees…10 The man answered, ‘I was naked, and when I heard you walking through the garden, I was frightened and hid!'” Genesis 3:8&10 CEV

Fear was one of the first emotions that Adam and Eve experienced in the garden after they sinned. The first was shame followed by fear. Fear has been used by the devil for a very long time.

Ever since that time, God has been saying to mankind “Do not fear”! I know I have told you this before but it bears repeating, Bible scholars tell us that there are approximately 365 verses that tell us not to fear or to be worried.

God wants us to live a worry-free life. He wants us to face our fears and say like King David said:

“The Lord is my light and the One Who saves me. Whom should I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom should I be afraid? 2 When sinful men, and all who hated me, came against me to destroy my flesh, they tripped and fell. 3 Even if an army gathers against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if war rises against me, I will be sure of You.” Psalm 27:1-3 NLV

When we see trees blown by the wind let it serve as a reminder to us. Stop worrying, do not be afraid.

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Overwhelmed…Again

Last night as I was getting ready to curl up for the night I felt overwhelmed!

Why? I can’t be certain. There were situations, beyond my control, that had been weighing on my heart. I had been in an attitude of prayer most of the day.

I knew I couldn’t go to sleep with the heaviness so I did what I told all of you to do, I took a break – a praise break!

“O God, listen to my cry!  Hear my prayer! 2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help
 when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,3  for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.” Psalm 61:1-3 NLT

I began to praise God for always being there – for being my rock, my strength, my shelter, my place of rest. It was a break worth taking!

I remembered, almost twenty years ago, I was listening to a Bill Gaither special on television and they sang this song:

“Why don’t you lead me to that Rock that is higher than I
Oh lead me, yes Lord lead me
Why don’t you lead me to that Rock that is higher than I
Thou hast been a shelter for me”

I needed this reminder that God has always been there for me and He always will be.

Have you ever come face to face with your failures and inadequacies? Have there been times you felt your strength wane? The devil likes to take times like these to flaunt our failures and our sins.

Overwhelmed?

God has the answer:

“Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! 2 Please listen and answer me,
 for I am overwhelmed by my troubles…4 My heart pounds in my chest…16 But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. 17 Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. 18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe…22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55 NLT

Take a break – morning, noon or night – a praise break. Our Father has promised never to leave us or abandon us.

“…for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13:5 AMP

“ He carried our sins in His own body when He died on a cross. In doing this, we may be dead to sin and alive to all that is right and good. His wounds have healed you! 25 You were like lost sheep. But now you have come back to Him Who is your Shepherd and the One Who cares for your soul.” I Peter 2:24-25 NLV

Overwhelmed? by sickness or disease, by financial circumstance, by old age and weakness, by lack of qualifications or education

Whatever it is you feel is holding you back, God is greater than the circumstances. You aren’t alone! He promises to be your strength, your high tower. Take a break and give Him those overwhelming cares.

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No Broken Promises

The last few days I have been reading in the Old Testament. King David has aged, and the Lord told him to set his son Solomon on the throne. Solomon had been given the task of building the Temple of the Lord.

King David had amassed a great treasury of gold, silver, bronze, jewels and cedar which he left for Solomon to use.

When the Temple was finished and the people were gathered for the dedication, Solomon prayed a prayer of thanksgiving honoring the Lord for His faithfulness and for His promise to “dwell” with His people. And then Solomon prayed over the people of Israel.

“When Solomon prayed this prayer to the LORD, he was on his knees in front of the LORD’s altar and his arms were raised toward heaven. When he finished praying, he stood up. 55 Then, in a loud voice, he asked God to bless all the people of Israel. Solomon said,

56 ‘Praise the LORD! He promised to give rest to his people, Israel. And he has given us rest! He used his servant Moses and made many good promises to the people of Israel. And he has kept every one of them! 57 I pray that the LORD our God will be with us, as he was with our ancestors. I pray that he will never leave us. 58 I pray that we will turn to him and follow him. Then we will obey all the laws, decisions, and commands that he gave our ancestors. 59 I pray that the LORD our God will always remember this prayer and what I have asked. I pray that he will do these things for his servant, the king, and for his people, Israel. I pray that he will do this every day. 60 If he will do these things, all the people of the world will know that the LORD is the only true God. 61 You people must be loyal and true to the LORD our God. You must always follow and obey all of his laws and commands. You must continue to obey in the future as you do now.’” I Kings 8: 54-61 CEV

This is Solomon’s reminder to the people. “He used his servant Moses and made many good promises to the people of Israel. And he has kept every one of them!” God keeps His word. He kept it to Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon and the Israelites and He keeps His word to us today.

And here is the key – it isn’t so we can walk around bragging and arrogant.

“If he will do these things, all the people of the world will know that the LORD is the only true God.”

God gives and keeps His word so that all the world will know that the Lord is the only true God!

Plain and simple, so much in this world changes – you’ve heard it said “everything is relative” but that doesn’t apply to God’s promises and plans.

He is the same – yesterday, today and forever!

The word of the Lord stands forever. In our Father there is no variableness or shadow of turning. God’s love, his truth, his mercy and his grace will endure – His promises never fail.

Thank you, Father! Heaven and earth may pass away but Your word, your promises, will remain forever. They will never be broken.

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Desert Blooms

It takes Dave and I about 15 to 20 minutes to drive to town. Most of the way we travel through sparsely populated desert, which we enjoy, and especially when the Spring flowers and love grass blanket the ground.

All it takes is a few warm days and some moisture and the desert floor comes to life.

Isn’t that how it is with us? A little light, warmth, and watering with kindness and love and our souls respond with beauty.

“The waste-land and the dry land will be glad. The desert will be full of joy and become like a rose. 2 Many flowers will grow in it, and it will be filled with joy and singing…They will see the shining-greatness of the Lord, the wonderful power of our God. 3 Give strength to weak hands and to weak knees. 4 Say to those whose heart is afraid, ‘Have strength of heart, and do not be afraid. See, your God will come ready to punish. He will come to make sinners pay for their sins, but He will save you…Those whom the Lord has paid for and set free will return. They will come to Zion with singing. Joy that lasts forever will crown their heads. They will be glad and full of joy. Sorrow and sad voices will be gone.’” Isaiah 35:1-4, 10 NLV

I really encourage you to read the full chapter of Isaiah 35. It is an amazing description of what the Lord does in the lives of those who love Him.

I can almost hear someone saying, “but Kristi, it also says that He will make sinners pay for their sins. Where’s the good news in that?”

I’m so glad you asked!

Read the next five words – “but He will save you”. There’s the good news. Salvation!

“‘It will be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved from the punishment of sin.’” Acts 2:21 NLV

“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV

The choice is ours.

Our lives can be dry and brown, filled with thorns and stickers or we can bloom with beauty. The difference between the two is the water.

“On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, ‘If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! 38  Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.’ 39 Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him. The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone, since Jesus had not yet been given his full glory.” John 7:37-39 CEV

When we come to faith in Christ, He fills us with the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit. He causes our lives to blossom with the fruit of love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, patience and meekness.

We bloom with joy and strength!

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Grasshopper Syndrome

Have you ever heard of “grasshoppers syndrome”? If you have, I’d be surprised because I think I just made it up but it’s possible someone else has had the same witty thought I have. Grasshopper Syndrome was first diagnosed in Numbers 13.

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and God said He had given them the Promised Land. All they had to do was go in and possess it. Moses chose twelve men to go in, spy out the land and bring back a report. Ten men came back with Grasshopper Syndrome and two men, Joshua and Caleb, came back “considering” only the good that God had revealed to them.

The ten men said this:

“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:33

The problem wasn’t the giants in the land, it’s that they were considering the giants and not God and saw themselves as grasshoppers. Their misconception kept them wandering in the wilderness area for years to come.

Years later we find a second outbreak of Grasshopper Syndrome. It occurs in I Samuel 17. The story of David and Goliath. The army of Israel had heard Goliath taunt them for 40 days.

“And the Philistine said, ‘I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together’. 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” I Samuel 17:10-11

Goliath was the largest man around. He came out twice a day mocking the armies of God. Grasshopper Syndrome had spread throughout the entire army, and they were filled with fear.

Then David, a shepherd boy, showed up. He heard Goliath’s defiant cries, and asked but one question “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?” David didn’t concern himself with Goliath’s size. No, he considered God’s promise of protection to the Israelites.

Circumcision was a sign that God had promised to always be with the Israelites. It meant I will give you My all and when you need Me, I will be there.”

David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me using sword, spear, and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel. You have said bad things about him. 46 Today the LORD will let me defeat you. I will kill you. I will cut off your head and feed your body to the birds and wild animals…Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel…The battle belongs to the LORD, and he will help us defeat all of you’.” I Samuel 17:45-47

With one shot from David’s sling, Goliath was dead.

What kind of Goliath is standing in front of you today – unemployment, illness, personal relationships, financial hardship – whatever it is, do like David. Consider God and not the giant.

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4

Take God’s word and destroy the giant, remove Grasshopper Syndrome from your thinking, let God’s word have final authority in your life. You are and will be victorious in this life!

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Harness the Wind

Dave and I enjoy watching shows on sailing. I’ve never been on a sailboat but I find that mode of transportation fascinating. There are a whole new set of pioneers who are crossing the waters of the world in their sailing vessels.

Recently we watched a movie, Kon Tiki, based on the travels of a Norwegian explorer, sailing from Peru to the Polynesian islands on a balsa wood raft with a crew of five men. They were subject to the power of the trade winds.

Another movie we watched was the chronicling of a young, 16-year-old, Australian girl who solo circumnavigated the globe. It took her 210 days to complete her trip. The movie shows how depressed she became when she was left without wind for seven days. No wind, no forward movement.

These modern day sailors, like their ancient counterparts, learned to harness the wind and navigate their way through the seas.

This morning the wind is blowing. I’ve been awake for several hours listening to it gust and die down only to gust again. That’s what prompted my thoughts on sailing but then it also guided my thoughts to God’s power and provision.

I’ve been thinking about the followers of Christ in the book of Acts. These were the men and women who stumbled in their faith while Jesus was here on earth but became an unstoppable force after His resurrection.

What made the difference?

The wind.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes into your life. You will tell about Me in the city of Jerusalem and over all the countries of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLT

They had been timid in the face of adversity. Peter had denied even knowing the Lord when he was confronted on His association with Christ. Thomas had doubted the resurrection. Their testimonies were dead in the water, so to speak.

But then…

“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit…” Acts 2:1-4 NLT

The wind of the Holy Spirit touched their lives and propelled them forward with the bold testimony of Jesus and salvation through His name.

“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today…38 Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” Acts 2:32-33, 38 NLT

The presence of the Holy Spirit is vital to our lives as Christians. He empowers us to live the life God has designed for us. We will be emboldened the same way they were almost 2000 years ago.

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11 NLT

It’s not a physical wind that propels us forward but something much greater – the power of the Holy Spirit. Harness the wind!

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Hope, Joy, Peace

I was looking for an image to use for this morning’s blog. When I did a search for hope, joy, and peace most of the results were images of Christmas cards. I thought that was interesting.

Is that the only time the world stops to think about these words which are so interconnected in Scripture?

We live in a society that is hurting. Without hope there is no joy or peace. This isn’t a seasonal message, it’s a message we should be living on a daily basis. But once again we can only give what we possess – if our hearts are filled with anxiety, fear, self-preservation and desperation we have nothing to give.

“ I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ERV

When we embrace the promises of God and place our trust in His unconditional love His joy and peace will fill us and we will overflow with His hope.

“Remember that in the past you were without Christ… you did not know about the agreements with the promises that God made to his people. You had no hope, and you did not know God. 13 Yes, at one time you were far away from God, but now in Christ Jesus, you are brought near to him. You are brought near to God through the blood sacrifice of Christ. 14 Christ is the reason we are now at peace.” Ephesians 2:12-14 ERV

Years ago, there was an evangelist by the name of Oral Roberts. Many, in Christian circles, were skeptical of his message. You see, he preached hope and the goodness of God. He preached the Gospel, the good news.

He would say to those who came to the stadiums and those who watched him on television “something good is going to happen to you today”. He believed it wholeheartedly and he brought this message of hope to everyone he could.

“‘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

Something good. Something to hope for. Something to fill us with joy and peace.

These are the words Jesus quoted from the book of Isaiah about Himself.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has chosen me to tell good news to the poor. He sent me to tell prisoners that they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again.
He sent me to free those who have been treated badly 19 and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness.” Luke 4:18-19 ERV

My prayer for each of us is that we are filled with hope, joy and peace and that we carry that to those in our sphere of influence, not just at Christmas but all year through.

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