Category: Confidence

Posted on

Mending Fences

All through the Bible we have verses that tell us to remember – remember the good things the Lord has done.

We are told to teach our children God’s ways; make sure they know of the times the Lord has delivered us, protected and provided.

“You must be very careful not to forget the things you have seen God do for you. Keep reminding yourselves, and tell your children and grandchildren as well.” Deuteronomy 4:9 CEV

“Someday your children will ask, “Why are these rocks here?” Then you can tell them how the water stopped flowing when the chest was being carried across the river. These rocks will always remind our people of what happened here today.” Joshua 4:6-7 CEV

So, this morning the Lord reminded me of a special time we experienced years ago, and I wanted to share it with you. Some of you have read it before but ask the Lord what He is wanting you to learn as you read it again.

I had the privilege to preach the funeral of a dear friend. This old cowboy had lived a good life but not always a godly one. In fact, it wasn’t until a couple years before he died that I had the opportunity to lead him to Jesus. How special it was to know that God’s love had touched this man’s life and that he accepted Jesus as his Savior.

Dave and I made the trip from Montana to Nebraska for the celebration of his life. I remember asking him just a few days before he died if he was ready to see Jesus and he responded with a resounding “Yes, I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”

When we entered the mortuary, I saw his favorite saddle was positioned at the end of his casket and tied to the saddle was a pair of fencin’ pliers. I wondered how many times he must have used those as he rode fence and checked on the cattle.

As I preached his funeral the next day, I made comment that Derald wouldn’t need those pliers anymore because there are no fences to mend in heaven. However, down here on earth we still need them.

How many times have I needed a pair of spiritual fencin’ pliers? How many times have I needed to have the lines around me pulled tight and secured, once again, to a strong post? How many times have I tried to grab a loose strand of wire with my hands and been stuck on the barbs?

“These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he says something, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours. 19 This hope is like an anchor for us. It is strong and sure and keeps us safe.” Hebrews 6:18-19

To me, hope is like a pair of fencin’ pliers. It pulls things up tight and keeps us for running off beyond the fence of safety that God has established for us.

God can’t lie. Trust His Word, pull your fence tight, and He will keep you safe and sure.

Posted on

In the Storm

Something we know about on the mountain is the storms.

We watch them roll in – first the clouds gather, then they darken, soon after comes the rain. With the rain we generally have a few good lightning flashes and then the thunder. Sometimes the thunder and lightning can be earth shaking.

But after…the skies clear, the storm has passed.

Isn’t that the way it is with life? We can see the storms brewing, the winds blow, the sky grows dark and the rain and thunder come.

Married or single, male or female, the storms come. The times when you’re holding hands and praying because your business has just gone bust, or you’ve lost a child. The times when you want to give up completely but make yourself take one more breath and one more step. The doctor’s report, the auto accident, a ruined reputation, divorce papers.

The storms come. But…

“A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water. 38 Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”

39 Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.” Mark 4:37-39 ERV

Jesus is in the storm with us! He has promised to never leave us or abandon us. He is there to calm the storm.

Trust Him!

“You are a strong tower, where I am safe from my enemies. 4 Let me live with you forever
and find protection under your wings, my God.” Psalm 61:3-4 CEV

“Heavenly Father, my prayer today is for all who are reading this. For those that are weary be their strength, those that are sick be their healer and great physician, for those who are hurting show yourself as their comforter, for those seeking direction fill them with your wisdom, for those who are frightened bathe them in peace, those that are in need reveal yourself as their source of supply and for those who are downcast fill them with your joy! Father, you are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. All we have need of we find in you. Thank you. In Jesus Name.”

We are safe in the midst of the storm!

Posted on

Hurry Up & Wait

Today is one of our days’ off and I’m thankful that we don’t have a long list of things that need to be done. Sometimes our non-workdays are filled with more activities than those when we work a full shift.

Whatever the day brings, it seems there is always a time of waiting. At 69, you would think I had learned to wait better but I’m still working on it.

How are you going to spend your day? Do you have a list of projects that need to be completed? Are you travelling to far away places? Do you think your activities are mundane and uneventful? Or do you possibly have a “big” appointment that could be life changing?

As you hurry through your morning or stop to have a quiet cup of coffee and a reflective moment, I want to encourage you to start your day praising God for the blessings in your life. You have breath, a computer/tablet/phone (if you’re reading this), a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in, you have some degree of health and wealth and you have God’s promise to never leave you or abandon you!

So much to be thankful for.

A while back, I was reading the last chapter of Luke. Jesus disciples and apostles had followed him for 3 years. They thought he was going to set up an earthly kingdom, overthrow their Roman oppressors and bring peace to their nation. But instead, He died; they were dejected. The resurrection gave them new hope . They learned He was leaving again but this time they had a new prospective.

What did they do?

“Jesus led his followers out of Jerusalem almost to Bethany. He raised his hands and blessed his followers. 51 While he was blessing them, he was separated from them and carried into heaven. 52 They worshiped him and went back to Jerusalem very happy. 53 They stayed at the Temple all the time, praising God.” Luke 24:50-53 ERV

They spent their waiting time praising God!

What a great way to pass the time while you’re waiting in traffic, or in the checkout line that seems to be at a standstill. You can praise God while waiting to be served in a restaurant or on hold waiting for a live person to take your call. It’s the best way to spend your time while waiting in the carpool lane or sitting in a waiting room at the hospital.

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

Wherever you are waiting today, wait on the Lord – praise Him and He will fill your life with joy!

Posted on

Appraised Value

One of the first things I saw this morning was a posting of things to do to improve your own “self worth”.

Oh my!

I tried that for years. In high school I wanted to be part of the in-crowd, I never was. That meant I had to have the right friends, wear the right clothes, be a cheerleader or a cheerleader’s friend and the list went on.

As an adult that same challenge follows us. The right job, house, spouse, car, vacation spot. It can be devastating emotionally when these things escape our grasp.

God’s opinion of us is so much greater than our opinion of ourselves. He sees us, created in His image. Like a jeweler examining a precious diamond, He looks us over and sees a beauty that others don’t see.

“And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17 AMPC

He sees us as valuable, priceless and worth the ultimate sacrifice.

He loved us enough to send His Son to die for us so that we could live in Him!

Now that alone should drive out any feelings of low self-esteem or worthlessness!

” Brothers and sisters, God chose you to be his. Think about that! Not many of you were wise in the way the world judges wisdom. Not many of you had great influence, and not many of you came from important families. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 And God chose what the world thinks is not important—what the world hates and thinks is nothing. He chose these to destroy what the world thinks is important. 29 God did this so that no one can stand before him and boast about anything. 30 It is God who has made you part of Christ Jesus. And Christ has become for us wisdom from God. He is the reason we are right with God and pure enough to be in his presence. Christ is the one who set us free from sin. 31 So, as the Scriptures say, “Whoever boasts should boast only about the Lord.” I Corinthians 1:26-31 ERV

Christ gave his life to purchase our salvation. He gave all He had, He established our value.

“Also, God’s kingdom is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 One day he found a very fine pearl. He went and sold everything he had to buy it.” Matthew 13:45-46 CEV

God’s appraisal is complete. He has examined us and in His expert opinion we are priceless.

Posted on

Read All About It!

This morning Facebook gave me a reminder of where I was and what I was doing nine years ago today.

I was in Waterloo, Iowa with appointments at several doctors’ for follow-up visits after my release from the hospital. I had never been so sick and there were moments that led up to my hospitalization that had me uttering words that I hope I never need to repeat again.

“The Lord’s arm is raised in victory. The Lord has shown his great power again. 17 I will live and not die, and I will tell what the Lord has done.” Psalm 118:16-17 ERV

I praise God for His healing power and His protection over me, not only in moments of crisis but in the everyday times of life. He is my constant source of strength, joy, health and peace.

“Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.” I Samuel 12:24 KJV

My relationship with the Father isn’t one that is casual or that I take for granted and ignore. It is foundational, the core of my being. I am dependent upon Him and His word.

There is a chorus that is running through my mind this morning, one we can all sing:

“How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God. How great, how great it our God!”

He is great in the good times and in the struggles. He is great in large crowds and in solitude. He is great!

I love the story of the man Jesus restored to his right mind. This man was demon possessed and he lived in the countryside where he ran naked and was surrounded by a herd of pigs. His life was spent in total chaos until He had an encounter with Jesus.

“People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man sitting there at the feet of Jesus. The man had clothes on and was in his right mind again; the demons were gone. This made the people afraid.” Luke 8:35 ERV

Jesus changes lives! He did then and He does today. He is always the same – yesterday, today and forever.

“The man he had healed begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 ‘Go back home and tell people what God did for you.’ So the man went all over town telling what Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39

You may not have been healed from a life-threatening illness or been restored to a right mental state but every one of us has a story to tell. It is our personal story of God’s goodness and His love.

Go “publish” the news of God’s greatness! Extra, Extra Read All About It!

Posted on

Encouragement & Hope

When I read the Bible, I look for God’s love and I find it in the life stories of its many characters. When I read the Bible looking for evidence of God’s love, I find it manifest to flawed humans who need encouragement and strength, just like the former leper in yesterday’s blog.

Today I would like to introduce you to another one of my Bible friends. His life has had many up’s and down’s. I share quotes from him all the time; he is a shepherd, a song writer, a refugee, a father of wayward children, a husband, an adulterer, a hero, a king and a man who has a heart for God.

His name is David. A man like us with human weaknesses, disappointments and facing tragic circumstances.

“All the men in the army were sad and angry because their sons and daughters were taken as prisoners. The men were talking about killing David with stones. This upset David very much, but he found strength in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6 ERV

David’s wife and children had been stolen along with the wives and children of his men. His men were so distraught they were considering killing David because they felt it was “all his fault”. David needed someone to encourage him but there was no one so he encouraged himself.

Maybe that’s how you feel today. Maybe all seems lost. When David had no one else to count on, no one to encourage him, he found strength and courage in the Lord.

If you need to encourage yourself today start with these verses. Look in the mirror and read them to yourself.

“You formed the way I think and feel. You put me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because you made me in such a wonderful way. I know how amazing that was! 15 You could see my bones grow as my body took shape, hidden in my mother’s womb. 16 You could see my body grow each passing day. You listed all my parts, and not one of them was missing. 17 Your thoughts are beyond my understanding. They cannot be measured! 18 If I could count them, they would be more than all the grains of sand. But when I finished, I would have just begun” Psalm 139:13-18 ERV

This should put a smile on your face and hope in your heart!

God formed you and He saw to it that nothing was missing in your development. He is still with you promising to never leave you or abandon you! You’re not alone!

After David spent time with the Lord, He was able to encourage his men. They went out and defeat the army that had stolen their families and their goods. They recovered all.

“David got back everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing. They found all the children and old people, all their sons and daughters, and all their valuables. They got back everything the Amalekites had taken. David brought everything back.” I Samuel 30:18-19 ERV

Let’s learn from David. Take what the Lord has done for us and give hope to others. It’s wonderful to know that we can be used even in our toughest moments!

Posted on

Trust in Time of Trouble

Monday, Monday.

Do you have a smile on your face as you start this day and this week? As a new day dawns the birds are singing, and the hillsides are showing their green and wildflowers are blooming. The sun is about to rise above the mountain to the east and the sky is clear. It is a good day to praise the Lord.

But I also had to stop and consider the opposite start to the day I have just described. What if you woke this morning, having overslept, there’s a stain on your favorite shirt, the car won’t start, your coffeemaker quit and your cell phone died?

Maybe the problems in your path are more serious than the menial annoyances I named above. It could be health issues, a crumbling relationship, financial upset and your company just announced they’re moving to another location and work-from-home is being phased out.

How do you start your day with those issues facing you?

Trust in a Time of Trouble.

“Fig trees may no longer bloom, or vineyards produce grapes; olive trees may be fruitless, and harvest time a failure; sheep pens may be empty, and cattle stalls vacant—18 but I will still celebrate because the Lord God saves me. 19 The Lord gives me strength. He makes my feet as sure as those of a deer, and he helps me stand on the mountains.” Habakkuk 3:17-19 CEV

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we will never have problems, not at all. However, it does mean we have the constant attention of the “Problem Solver”. It is the Lord who comes to our rescue and saves us. He gives us strength and makes us able to stand on the rocky ground of the mountains.

When we trust Him, He takes us to a higher place. A place our adversary can’t reach. Make today a day to stand on the mountain tops!

Thank God for His faithfulness and protection. Trust Him in Time of Trouble!

Posted on

Open the Door

The other day I made mention of some verses in Matthew. They are part of Jesus’ sermon on the mount.

“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks…11 As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.” Matthew 7:7-8, 11 CEV

Jesus said that the Father is ready to give us good things when we ask. He isn’t an evil or angry Father. He’s a good Father and He loves his children. He says ask for what we need, search for the things of value and knock on doors that we need opened.

The image I am using with this morning’s blog is a modern adaptation of several paintings that were done in the early 1900’s. I’m sure you’ve all probably seen one of those. It’s a picture of Jesus standing at the door to home knocking.

The artist based the picture on a verse from the book of Revelation.

“Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.” Revelation 3:20 CEV

In these verses, Jesus is speaking to Christians who hearts have grown cold. They are people who had a strong relationship with the Lord at one time but life got busy, worries increased, too many cares and distractions and as Jesus said they were now lukewarm in their love for Him.

Here Jesus is repeating the message of knocking, only this time it’s not us doing the knocking but it’s Him.

He spoke those words ” Knock, and the door will be opened for you.”, and now He’s knocking. He is putting His Father’s promise into practice. Jesus doesn’t want to lose relationship with any of those He loves.

He pursues us with a loving heart.

“ Then Jesus told them this story :4 If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won’t you leave the 99 in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? 5 And when you find it, you will be so glad that you will put it on your shoulder 6 and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, “Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep.” Matthew 15:3-6 CEV

I, for one, am glad that Jesus came looking for me when I had closed the door to my heart. He didn’t give up on me, He kept knocking on my door until I opened it and our relationship was restored. His love for me had never grown cold even though mine had.

Now, the door is no longer closed. It’s always open to Him and His leading.

If you’ve closed the door to a daily relationship with the Lord I encourage you to open your heart. You’ll find Him knocking, waiting there for you to open the door and He will come in for fellowship.

Posted on

Big or Small

Do you remember teaching your children the concepts of big and small? A watermelon is big, an orange is small. An elephant is big, a mouse is small. A bus is big, a VW bug is small.

We taught them how to categorize and distinguish between the two.

The small things you can handle on your own but with the bigger things you need to ask for help. You need to ask for help when learning to mow the lawn, but you can put your shoes on by yourself.

We do that with the issues in life as well. The small things we can handle, no need to ask for help but the bigger issues, the life-changing things, we take time to pray and/or ask others to pray about so that we can get God involved.

What I find interesting is our perception of big or small. What, if anything, is big to God? He is the one who created the universe – He set the planets in orbit and the placed the tides that control the seas. He gave man the wisdom to split the atom and the vision to create a laser beam that could be used in intricate surgeries.

Yesterday I was reading one of my favorite passages in Matthew. It’s Jesus’ teaching of the sermon on the mount. Jesus was talking about the weighty issues of life.

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds?

27 Can worry make you live longer? 28 Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. 29  But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. 30 God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. God will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?

31 Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all of these. 33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” Matthew 6:25-33 CEV

The things that seem monumental to us, the things that cause us to worry, are commonplace to the Father and He has a plan for taking care of them. He wants us to bring everything to Him.

The birds don’t wake up in a fret each morning wondering if there will be enough bugs or worms. No, they start their day with a song and then head out to find what God has provided.

The flowers don’t have anxiety attacks when producing their beautifully colored petals. They just bask in the sun, take in the moisture and grow.

Big or little?

The Father knows the very number of hairs on our head, now that is the little and He also says He will supply for ALL our needs. That’s big!

He promises that when we seek Him and His ways, “put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well”.

Trust Him. The big and the small – it’s all in His hands!

Posted on

What Is Man…

This picture came up in my computer notifications yesterday. I had taken it a year ago.

I remember specifically how awe-struck I was in viewing the evening sky. I sat in my camp chair and watched as the clouds slowly moved, with the darkness embracing them. I had to capture some of the grandeur!

These words came to mind then and now.

“Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above. 2 With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless.

3 I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. 4 Then I ask, ‘Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?’ 5 You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor.

6 You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power— 7 the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal,8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures.

9 Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!” Psalm 8 CEV

I, too, often think about the heavens and the earth and all that the Lord has made and I ask, “who am I that You, Father God, think of me”. God’s word brings my answer:

“God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. 16 God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children.” Romans 8:15-16 CEV

The Father thinks about us because we are His children. His love is everlasting, His mercy is new every morning, His faithfulness endures to a thousand generations and His grace is sufficient in every situation.

When I see the clouds, or an evening/morning sky filled with beauty my heart is stirred to sing that great, old hymn of the faith.

“Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook and feel the gentle breeze

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art?
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art?”

Let’s ask the question again, “what is man that Thou art mindful of him”? We will probably never understand the depth of His answer to us. His heart says He wants us to know this:

“…Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love. 18  I pray that you and all God’s people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep. 19 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 3:17-19 CEV

Oh Father, how great Thou art!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress