Category: Confidence

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Opportunity for Praise

Dave and I are getting ready to head out for a ride in the desert this morning. After the rains late in September the desert is green and lush.

My opportunity for praise comes from the fact that I won’t be riding a camel or crossing the Sahara. I praise the Lord for our comfy Jeep, dirt roads and the cool morning air.

Does that seem silly to you? To praise God for those insignificant things? Praise is the expression of appreciation, and I appreciate all the Lord has made and done, large and small. But mostly I praise Him for His love that endures forever.

Praising God for his goodness and love!

The sun came up, the birds are singing and God is still on the throne. I will praise Him for all eternity!

“Praise the Lord because he is good. His faithful love will last forever. 2 Praise the God of gods! His faithful love will last forever. 3 Praise the Lord of lords! His faithful love will last forever. 4 Praise him who alone does wonderful miracles! His faithful love will last forever.5 Praise the one who used wisdom to make the skies! His faithful love will last forever.

6 He spread the land over the sea. His faithful love will last forever. 7 He made the great lights. His faithful love will last forever. 8 He made the sun to rule the day. His faithful love will last forever. 9 He made the moon and stars to rule the night. His faithful love will last forever…

23 He remembered us when we were defeated. His faithful love will last forever. 24 He saved us from our enemies. His faithful love will last forever. 25 He provides food for all living things. His faithful love will last forever. 26 Praise the God of heaven! His faithful love will last forever.” Psalm 136 ERV

Be grateful! Each and every day is proof that God’s faithful love endures forever!!

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In Times of Trouble

In times of trouble I am thankful!

“I love you, Lord! You are my strength. 2 The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place high in the hills. 3 I called to the Lord for help, and he saved me from my enemies! He is worthy of my praise!
4 Death had its ropes wrapped around me. A deadly flood was carrying me away. 5 The ropes of the grave wrapped around me. Death set its trap right there in front of me. 6 In my trouble I called to the Lord. Yes, I cried out to my God for help. There in his temple he heard my voice. He heard my cry for help…” Psalm 18:1-6 ERV

I’m never sure when I begin my morning writings who the Lord is wanting to speak to, I always know He has a message for me and I hope the words of the Bible are touching you as well.

I have been through those times when I felt death grip me. I have been through the valley of the shadow of death for me and those in my family. And I cried out for help and I KNOW He heard my cry.

“Lord, you are faithful to those who are faithful. You are good to those who are good.
26 You never do wrong to those who have done no wrong. But you outsmart the wicked, no matter how clever they are. 27 You help those who are humble, but you humiliate the proud.
28 Lord, you provide the flame for my lamp. You, God, turn the darkness around me into light. 29 With your help I can defeat an army. If my God is with me, I can climb over enemy walls.

30 God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in him. 31 There is no God except the Lord. There is no Rock except our God. 32 God is the one who gives me strength. He clears the path I need to take.33 He makes my feet as steady as those of a deer. Even on steep mountains he keeps me from falling.
34 He trains me for war so that my arms can bend the most powerful bow. 35 Lord, you have given me your shield to protect me. You support me with your right hand. It is your help that has made me great.” Psalm 18:25-35 ERV

Every wall that the enemy has set to hedge you in God has given you the strength to climb over. He has given you protection and support. He is an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Once again the words of a song are coming up in my heart.

“All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God” Bethel Music

In times of trouble lift your voice and sing of the goodness of God.

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Prospecting for Gold

The words of Solomon were the first thing that came to mind this morning and from there the Lord added more thoughts on understanding and wisdom.

“With all your heart you must trust the Lord  and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow. 7 Don’t ever think that you are wise enough, but respect the Lord and stay away from evil. 8 This will make you healthy, and you will feel strong.” Proverbs 3:5-8 CEV

We are not to lean on our own understanding, our own learning, but we draw into the Lord’s thoughts and plans and there we will gain wisdom and have peace.

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 AMP

Seeking the Lord, with deep longing, reminds me of those early prospectors during the Gold Rush. Seeking, searching, not giving up. Looking for the mother-lode.

“ 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

When we lean into the Lord His wisdom and peace it will bypass our natural understanding and be the guiding force of our lives. The stress and anxiety of daily living will diminish and the peace of God will become our compass, our direction, our GPS (God Provided Sense).

King Solomon’s father, King David, taught him the value of learning and following the Lord’s instructions.

“Learning respect for the Lord is good. It will last forever. The Lord’s judgments are right. They are completely fair. 10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb. 11 His teachings warn his servants, and good things come to those who obey them.” Psalm 19:9-11 CEV

The Father’s words to us are not meant to encumber our lives; they are meant to enhance and enrich them. Prospectors were consumed by the desire to find gold. We should have that same drive as we discover the nuggets of God’s word.

Let me share one last nugget with you before I close.

“You will keep in]perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].” Isaiah 26:3 AMP

Start your prospecting journey; there are nuggets of gold on every page of the Bible.

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In The Light

Last year Dave bought this great flashlight.

We can sit on our porch and see clearly into the desert across the road. The light beam can be focused on one spot, or it can cast a broader light. It’s so helpful in seeing those things that create the crunching sounds in the underbrush.

Not sure why that came to mind, but I know enough when I have an abstract idea like this to stop and listen to what the Lord is saying to my heart.

“Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.” Psalm 119:105 ERV

There it is – this is what the Lord wanted me to dwell on.

Just like that flashlight with its bright beam the Lord’s word gives light to our path and guides our steps. And with both the natural and the spiritual light there are shadows; however, we don’t need to fear what might be hiding there.

“ Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me. ” Psalm 23:4 NLV

When we follow the path the Lord has for us there is no need to be afraid of the shadows. He will lead us and He will protect us on this journey.

“ Later, Jesus talked to the people again. He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life.’” John8:12 ERV

It’s interesting to see how these verses tie together. The Psalms say the Word is a lamp and a light. Jesus is called the “Word made flesh” in John 1:1-2 and then Jesus, himself, said “I am the light of the world”.

When people ask why I put so much time reading the Bible and studying God’s word the answer is simple. “These are the words of life”.

“Teach children in a way that fits their needs, and even when they are old, they will not leave the right path.” Proverbs 22:6 ERV

“ So listen, my son, and be wise. Always be careful to follow the right path.” Proverbs 23:19 ERV

There may be rough spots along the path; there even may be danger but we have His promise to be with us. In fact, the Bible tells us He will never leave us or abandon us.

Walk in the light of God’s word. It’s the right path to follow!

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Good Fruit & A Solid Foundation

I love the stories of the Bible!

Jeus taught in visuals because they made an impact. This morning, I have two to share with you; listen to what Jesus has to say.

“‘A good tree does not produce bad fruit. And a bad tree does not produce good fruit. 44 Every tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. You won’t find figs on thorny weeds. And you can’t pick grapes from thornbushes! 45 Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts.

46 ‘Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but you don’t do what I say? 47 The people who come to me, who listen to my teachings and obey them—I will show you what they are like: 48 They are like a man building a house. He digs deep and builds his house on rock. The floods come, and the water crashes against the house. But the flood cannot move the house, because it was built well.

49 “But the people who hear my words and do not obey are like a man who builds a house without preparing a foundation. When the floods come, the house falls down easily and is completely destroyed.’” Luke 6:43-49 ERV

These are just a few of teachings that come from what many call the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus had a large crowd who had come to hear Him teach. In the verses just prior to these He taught on the importance of not judging others, of loving their enemies and of hungering for the things of the Lord.

Now He was using an analogy they could understand and visualize. The teaching on the tree reminds me of a tree we have here in Arizona, the ornamental orange tree. It’s a beautiful tree with brightly colored oranges. Upon closer look you will see that it has large thorns, like spikes on its branches next to the fruit. If you try to eat the fruit it is horrible tasting, not even the wild animals who are herbivores will eat it. It looks good but it is bad to the core.

Jesus compared the bad fruit to a bad heart. When our hearts are good, our fruit is pure.

He went on to use one more analogy. A truth that contractors still use today. Dig down and build on a firm foundation. Houses with shoddy construction are the first to fall in a storm.

“The Lord is a mighty tower where his people can run for safety—” Proverbs 18:10 CEV

Building on a firm and solid foundation, we can stand during the storm and provide shelter for others. Kind of like the three little pigs – house of straw, house of sticks and a house of bricks.

Linking the two analogies together we get a solid house built on a foundation of God’s word, surrounded by trees (our lives) filled with good fruit. A very inviting place to live.

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Fill the Temple

The first words that came to my heart when I got up are from Isaiah the prophet.

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a very high and wonderful throne. His long robe filled the Temple. 2 Seraph angels stood around him. Each angel had six wings. They used two wings to cover their faces, two wings to cover their bodies, and two wings to fly. 3 The angels were calling to each other, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord All-Powerful. His Glory fills the whole earth.’” Isaiah 6:1-3 ERV

Have you noticed in the last weeks that revival, a massive revival, is happening worldwide? People are filling stadiums, auditoriums, congregating and parading in city streets and public parks declaring their allegiance and love for the Lord. They are being saved by the thousands!

His glory is filling the whole earth!

My Bible reading took me to I Chronicles today. King David had brought the Ark of God’s Covenant back to Jerusalem. (Side note: it was called the Ark of the Covenant because it contained items that reminded the Israelites that God had made a promise, an unbreakable covenant with them. He would be their God and they would be His people.)

The people were thrilled. They made sacrifices – they sang – they danced – they worshipped!

“The Levites brought God’s Holy Box and put it inside the tent David had set up for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to God. 2 After David had finished giving the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he used the Lord’s name to bless the people… 7 This was when David first gave Asaph and his brothers the job of singing praises to the Lord.” I Chronicles 16:1-7 ERV

This is part of the song they sang. I encourage you to go to the Bible and read the whole song.

“Give thanks to the Lord and call out to him!
    Tell the nations what he has done!
9 Sing to him; sing praises to him.
    Tell about the amazing things he has done.
10 Be proud of his holy name.
    You followers of the Lord, be happy!
11 Depend on the Lord for strength.
    Always go to him for help.
12 Remember the amazing things he has done.
    Remember his miracles and his fair decisions.
13 The people of Israel are his servants.
    The descendants of Jacob are his chosen people.
14 The Lord is our God.
    He rules the whole world.
15 Remember his agreement forever,
    the promise he gave that will never end.” I Chronicles 16:8-15 ERV

I can hear someone saying, “Well Kristi, that’s Old Testament and was written to the Jews. What’s that got to do with me?” I’m so glad you asked!

“You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. 20 God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 ERV

” But if Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life, because Christ made you right with God. 11 God raised Jesus from death. And if God’s Spirit lives in you, he will also give life to your bodies that die. Yes, God is the one who raised Christ from death, and he will raise you to life through his Spirit living in you.” Romans 8:10-11 ERV

We are God’s Temple! He has chosen to live in us, to make His home in us. We are where he resides by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“ Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. 20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.

Each of us have been ordained by God to be filled with His presence and His glory will be spread though out the earth!

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Under A Cloud

The other night after the rains had stopped, this was the view from our porch. The end of the day, clouds filled the sky and the sun was peaking over them one more time before setting for the night.

I love clouds.

Not everyone does. Some think that they are living under a dark cloud, a cloud of depression and worry. A cloud that blocks them from seeing the sun. Oh, that can be crushing to the spirit.

When I see the clouds I think of the Lord’s protection and guidance.

The children of Israel were led out of Egypt by Moses, not really knowing which way to go but they were headed to a “promised” land. God had promised a good, fertile land to Abraham hundreds of years before. That’s where the Lord was taking them.

The Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horses and the first thing the Lord did was cover the Israelites with a cloud.

“ The Lord led the way. During the day, he used a tall cloud to lead the people. And during the night, he used a tall column of fire to lead the way. This fire gave them light so that they could also travel at night. 22 The cloud was always with them during the day, and the column of fire was always with them at night.” Exodus 13:21-23 ERV

When the Temple was built by Solomon it is recorded that a cloud filled the Temple. The cloud was a sign of God’s presence with His people.

“When the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the Lord’s Temple. 11 The priests could not continue their work because the Temple was filled with the Glory of the Lord. 12 Then Solomon said, ‘The Lord caused the sun to shine in the sky, but he chose to live in a dark cloud.'” I Kings 8:9-12 ERV

And finally, there is one more reference to clouds that I want to share this morning.

“…Tell us, are you the Messiah, the Son of God?’ Jesus answered, “Yes, that’s right. But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of God. And you will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64 ERV

Oh, how I am looking for that day! The day of the Lord’s return!

I wait for it with excitement, anticipation and joy. The Lord’s return to earth. What a glorious day that will be!

Oh dear one, don’t dread the clouds. Live under the cloud of the Lord’s protection, enjoy His presence, live in His glory and await His return!

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Stillness

This morning’s message is stillness.

Life is full of noise. Too many distractions, too much to do. The call of God is stillness. Stillness from activity but more importantly stillness in our emotions and in our spirit.

“God says, “Stop fighting and know that I am God! I am the one who defeats the nations;
I am the one who controls the world. 11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah” Psalm 46:10-11 ERV

God wants us to be still and leave the fighting to Him. He desires to lead us to a place of peace, the peace that bypasses our natural understanding. Divine peace. The word “Selah” means to be still, pause and reflect. Reflect on God’s goodness and His greatness.

“The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need.
2 He gives me green pastures to lie in. He leads me by calm pools of water.
3 He restores my strength. He leads me on right paths to show that he is good.
4 Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave, I will not be afraid of any danger, because you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4 ERV

At 2 a.m. our silence was broken. An emergency alert came across our devices. “Flash flood warning. Stay in place unless you need to move to a place of safety”.

This morning that is my message and God’s message to you. Stay where the Lord has led you. Stay in place, in the green pastures where He has led you, He is with you!

Enjoy the stillness and let your soul rest!

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Not Enough Words

My dad told me I started talking in small sentences before I was one and he reminded me that I really hadn’t stopped since. I was a chatterbox – got marked down in school for talking during class and even won first place in the state speech contest.

But this morning, I am having a hard time coming up with enough words to express my wonder and amazement in the goodness of God and His overwhelming love!

Shocking, isn’t it?

In the book of John, we see Jesus’ interaction with those who are hurting, outcast, needy and sometimes completely alone. Jesus has turned the water into wine, fed the 5000, calmed the storm, walked on water, healed the blind, defended the adulterous woman, healed a lame man and the centurion’s son and eaten with tax collectors and other sinners.

The religious leaders always questioned His authority to do such things.

“It was winter, and the time came for the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. 23 Jesus was in the Temple area at Solomon’s Porch. 24 The Jewish leaders gathered around him. They said, ‘How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Messiah, then tell us clearly.’

25 Jesus answered, ‘I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father’s name. These miracles show who I am. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand. 29 My Father is the one who gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can steal my sheep out of his hand. 30 The Father and I are one.’” John 10:22-30 ERV

Every time Jesus did something wonderful for the people, these men were there to question his motives and his character. They wanted to kill him for doing good!

In the face of accusation, Jesus stays on point. “I am doing what my Father sent me to do – the Father and I are one!”

That truly is the definition of love; love is patient and kind, love suffers long, love thinks the best.

Jesus is our example for walking in love. When we are falsely accused and maligned, when the folks around us are so angry that they would like to destroy us, can we walk in love? I started to pray “Lord I want to walk in that love” and then I realized what that meant. It’s a hard prayer to pray. That truly is where I desire to be – Christ like.

The words of the song “Reckless Love” came up in my heart.

“Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God,”

I thank the Father that He is conforming me to His image so I can walk in that depth of His overwhelming, never-ending reckless love. Now I will sit in silence and let Him speak to my heart.

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Life with Benefits

Yesterday I had a routine visit to the dentist. You know the semi-annual cleaning. Everything went well – the hygienist is so sweet and she’s very thorough. When I was checking out, I learned that our dentist office is no longer “in network” and next year we will be without a dental benefit if we continue with this practice.

What??

Our practice is under new ownership. Our previous dentist sold the practice and two new dentists, who are very good, purchased it but now it is out-of-network. We like the new dentists and especially our hygienist.

But…we’ve lost our benefit. Have you ever been in a situation where you lost benefits?

That’s one thing we never have to be concerned about in our relationship with the Lord.

“ Honor and thanks be to the Lord, Who carries our heavy loads day by day. He is the God Who saves us. 20 Our God is a God Who sets us free. The way out of death belongs to God the Lord.” Psalm 68:19-20 NLV

“We praise you, Lord God! You treat us with kindness day after day, and you rescue us. 20 You always protect us and save us from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 CEV

“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah
20 Our God is the God of salvation; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 NJKV

The Lord, our Father, the God of salvation daily loads us up with benefits. When we are in Christ, we are “in-network”. We don’t have to get a referral or special authorization to enjoy the benefits. We don’t have a co-pay – that was all taken care of on the cross.

“ Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5

When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, we are always in an open enrollment. We aren’t limited to calendar restrictions.

“ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'” Romans 10:12-13 NKJV

The premium has been paid for.

“Then he said, ‘Here I am, God. I have come to do what you want.‘ So God ends that first system of sacrifices and starts his new way. 10 Jesus Christ did the things God wanted him to do. And because of that, we are made holy through the sacrifice of Christ’s body. Christ made that sacrifice one time—enough for all time.” Hebrews 10:9-10 ERV

Because of Christ we have life with benefits!

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