Category: Confidence

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Lessons from the Sea

For those of us who love the sea, the Lord has a lesson for you on His faithfulness.

When we went to Greece we would spend each evening sitting on the balcony listening to the waves as we watched the sunset. Then each morning we would walk the seashore as the sun rose in the sky.

It was a beautiful way to start and end each day. It was a reminder of God’s faithfulness. The sunrise and sunset, the ebb and flow of the tide. It’s been happening like that since the beginning of time.

God is faithful.

“Our Lord, you are King! Majesty and power are your royal robes. You put the world in place,
 and it will never be moved. 2 You have always ruled, and you are eternal. 3 The ocean is roaring, Lord! The sea is pounding hard. 4 Its mighty waves are majestic, but you are even more majestic, and you rule over all.
5 Your decisions are firm, and your temple will always be beautiful and holy.” Psalm 93 CEV

The Lord has proven His faithfulness through His creation. His word is filled with His unchangeable promises.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

“Christ says “Yes” to all God’s promises. This is why we have Christ to say “Amen” for us to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 1:20 CEV

“The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, 4  and protects us from death. His kindness and love are a crown on our heads.” Psalm 103:3-4 CEV

“I am surrounded by trouble, but you protect me against my angry enemies. With your own powerful arm you keep me safe. 8 You, Lord, will always treat me with kindness. Your love never fails. You have made us what we are. Don’t give up on us now!” Psalm 138:7-8 CEV

Each time you are at the sea or are picturing it in your mind remember God’s faithfulness. Let every sunrise and sunset be a reminder that God always treats you with kindness and His love never fails.

Nature is here as a testimony of God’s goodness and grace!

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Start the Day Right

No, this won’t be a blog about breakfast cereals, oatmeal or bacon and eggs. The only way I know to start the day right is by reading the Bible and drawing strength from God’s word.

Several times throughout the Psalms, people who trust and find strength in the Lord are compared to palm trees. Palm trees have deep roots and are able to sway in the winds without breaking. Palm trees are able to survive and thrive in harsh arid climates. They are resilient trees.

As I was reading Psalm 92 this morning, I was reminded of a place called Palm Canyon. It’s a beautiful oasis and the palm trees flourish. That’s the picture I used this morning. We live near a golf course and there are many palm trees there too. Tall, stately palm trees, a daily reminder of how God’s wants us to be.

“It is wonderful to be grateful and to sing your praises, Lord Most High!
2 It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are. 3 I enjoy praising your name to the music of harps,4 because everything you do
makes me happy, and I sing joyful songs.

5 You do great things, Lord.  Your thoughts are too deep 6 for an ignorant fool to know or understand. 7 Though the wicked sprout and spread like grass, they will be pulled up by their roots. 8 But you will rule over all of us forever, 9 and your hateful enemies will be scattered and then destroyed.

10 You have given me the strength of a wild ox, and you have chosen me to be your very own. 11 My eyes have seen, and my ears have heard the doom and destruction of my evil enemies.

12 Good people will prosper like palm trees, and they will grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. 13 They will take root in your house, Lord God, and they will do well. 14 They will be like trees that stay healthy and fruitful,  even when they are old. 15 And they will say about you, ‘The Lord always does right! God is our mighty rock.’” Psalm 92 CEV

I particularly like the last four verses. Good people will prosper, grow strong, take root and do well. They will stay healthy and fruitful, even when they are old. (That’s me! At 72, I am grateful to be strong and healthy.)

The Lord always does right! God is our mighty rock!!

There is no better way to start the day then by praising our God!!

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God Almighty

This morning, I read two amazing accounts of God’s power and greatness.

The first involves Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal. The story is recorded in I Kings 18. It had not rained in Israel for 3 years because the people had turned from God and were worshipping idols. Elijah and the prophets met on top of Mount Carmel for a showdown.

Each was to build an altar and sacrifice a bull. Neither was to put fire to the sacrifice, instead Baal’s prophets were to call on him and Elijah was to call on God to send fire to consume the sacrifice. Baal’s prophets prayed all day but there was no response. Elijah prayed and Almighty God sent fire that not only consumed the bull but the altar which had been soaked with water as well.

From there I went to Judges 15 and read an account of Samson and his encounter with the Philistines. The Lord had told Samson’s parents before he was born that he would be a deliverer of his people. Samson had a number of smaller skirmishes with the Philistines and so this particular time they came for him with an army. The Bible says “the Lord’s Spirit took control of Samson” and he fought the Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey, killing a thousand of them.

Now both of these true stories would sound like fiction if it wasn’t for the power of Almighty God.

After reading those two accounts I went to the Psalms and the next Psalm in my daily reading was Psalm 91.

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

5 You won’t need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. 6 And you won’t fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon.7 You will not be harmed,
though thousands fall all around you. 8 And with your own eyes you will see the punishment of the wicked.
9 The Lord Most High is your fortress. Run to him for safety, 10 and no terrible disasters
    will strike you or your home.

11 God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will carry you in their arms, and you won’t hurt your feet on the stones. 13 You will overpower the strongest lions and the most deadly snakes.

14 The Lord says, ‘If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe. 15 When you are in trouble, call out to me. I will answer and be there to protect and honor you. 16 You will live a long life and see my saving power.’” Psalm 91 CEV

When we are in trouble, we call out to the Lord and He will protect us. This is a promise from Almighty God to us who love and trust Him. God will strengthen and protect us!

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Dispelling the Darkness

This morning, I was reminded of a time a number of years back when my quiet time was interrupted by one of our dogs.

Cody was very upset and barking protectively as he stood at the back door. Not something I wanted at 3:15, especially since Dave was still sleeping. I jumped up to see what was causing Cody so much distress and there it was – another dog at the back door. He was staring Cody in the face! Before I could get to Cody, he charged the door and hit it with his nose as he was trying to get out.

I grabbed Cody and calmed him down, as I reached up to turn on the back porch light and make the dog on the patio disappear. Did I mention that our backyard was walled and there’s no way anything could get in. The other dog Cody saw at the back door was nothing more than his own reflection in the sliding glass door.

Turning on the light, reduced the reflection and life was calm!

Now as you smile or think what a dumb dog, let me ask you this, have you ever been bothered by things in the dark? Out camping when there are no lights but the camp fire and you hear a noise in the brush, walking across a dark parking lot, going through a darkened tunnel, or all by yourself in a strange place with little or no light? Ever been afraid and defensive? Me neither!

The enemy, our enemy, would like us to be afraid of the dark. The dark could be illness, financial pressure, relationship problems, world crises, depression and loneliness. Jesus has come to dispel the darkness and lead us by His light.

“But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done.” I Peter 2:9 CEV

“And everyone who has seen me has seen the one who sent me. 46 I am the light that has come into the world. No one who has faith in me will stay in the dark.” John 12:45-46 CEV

“You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light 9 and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, 10 as you try to please the Lord. ” Ephesians 5:8-10 CEV

I’m not sure what “dark” thing is trying to invade your life today but know this – when the light switch (God’s word and His presence) is turned on, it dispels the darkness, and you can walk safely in the light.

“Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk.” Psalm 119:105 CEV

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At Peace in the World

There is unrest all around us but that doesn’t mean we have to be anxious or fearful.

Jesus told his disciples of a time when there would be wars and rumors of wars, pestilence and famine. A time when the hearts of men will fail them because of fear. But the message didn’t stop there. Jesus went on to say, Stand strong!

“Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won’t know what to do. 26 People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken.” Luke 21:25-26 CEV

Jesus message to us is never one of fear – it always focuses on faith and peace. The night before His arrest these were the words to His disciples.

“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.'” John 14:1 CEV

Throughout the evening He continued to speak hope, peace and faith to them. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew it would be frightening and unnerving.

“  I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn’t like the peace this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:27 CEV

What Jesus was sharing with His disciples wasn’t a “head in the sand” mentality. Quite the opposite. A head in the sand outlook ignores what’s happening, a head in the world sees what’s happening and feels hopeless and helpless. But a head in God’s word sees what God says to do in turbulent times – fear not, have faith, be at peace.

“ I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world” John 16:33 CEV

Jesus spent His last night, the last supper, telling His disciples about the Father. His message to them was one of God’s goodness.

In His final hour before arrest, Jesus spent His time telling the Father about His disciples. His final prayer was for us to know the Father’s love.

“ I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. 21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me… 23 I am one with them, and you are one with me, so they may become completely one. Then this world’s people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me…25 Good Father, the people of this world don’t know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. 26 I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.” John 17:24-26 CEV

When fear strikes your heart, listen to the Holy Spirit. He will remind you to “be at peace, Christ has overcome the world”.

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Fixing What’s Broken

Yesterday I was reflecting on times when my dad and Dave have helped me and our kids fix what was broken. I remember specifically my dad telling me “Let me have it and you watch. You’ll see, I will fix it”.

This morning, I’m recycling a blog from a number of years back. It teaches us a lesson of how God fixes our broken mess.

I heard a story once about a little boy who had a broken wagon. He came to his father with tears streaming down his cheeks asking his father to fix the wagon. It was the child’s favorite toy. Each time the father would reach for the toy, the child would tighten his grip and tell his father of another fond memory or special time he had in his wagon.

Finally, the father in loving firmness said to his son, “If you want me to fix it, you have to let go. You can trust me. I love you and I’ll fix your wagon.”

How many times have we come to the Father with our “wagon” that needs fixing? Asking for help but not wanting to let go!

“7 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.

8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.” I Peter 5:7-9 AMP

What is it that’s broken in your life? Is it your heart – your relationships – your health – your finances – your peace – your hope?

Our Father can fix all of it. He wants us to bring Him our cares, knowing that He will provide us with the help we need.

“Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you, Lord! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.” Psalm 42:11 CEV

“Just as parents are kind to their children, the Lord is kind to all who worship him” Psalm 103:13 CEV

“ Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

We are to cast our cares on the Father. That means our worries, our fears and our problems. If we don’t, our enemy will seize upon our fears and defeat us. But when we do, we will be able to stand strong in faith (believing God to fix it) and be victorious.

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Steadfast & Immovable

Last weekend while Dave & I were at the Grand Canyon I was intrigued by the trees that grew with such twisted trunks.

I did a quick on-line search and found that the twisted growth was attributed to the rocky ground, exposed roots and the windy conditions near the canyons rim. I took several pictures but was disappointed that I couldn’t capture their natural beauty.

These trees that grew up through the boulders, not only survived but thrived.

Imagine that. Surviving and thriving in adverse and harsh conditions. You know I’m going to apply this to Scripture, right?

“But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory! 58 My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile. I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

The King James version of this verse says that we are to be steadfast and immovable, like those trees I admired so much at the Grand Canyon. They don’t budge in the storm. They bend but they remain steadfast.

“ Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

The Christian life is not one without storms or battles. However, we are promised the victory and the ability to remain standing when the storm passes, not in our own strength but because of God’s infallible word.

Our victory in this life comes from our faith in what Christ did for us on the cross.

“Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 CEV

The Apostle Paul writes that we are more than conquerors. I once asked the Lord “How do we become more than conquerors”? To be a conqueror means we win the battle but what makes us more than conquerors? It’s when we follow Him, trust Him to defeat the enemy and then enjoy the victory.

“ In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.” Romans 8:37 CEV

Like Gideon and his 300 men. They blew the trumpets, revealed their torches but they stood on the rim above the camp and let the enemy defeat themselves. More than conquerors.

Be encouraged today. Stand. Steadfast. Immovable.

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A Torch & A Trumpet

We’re coming to the end of Gideon’s defeat of the Midianites and the eastern kings. It’s an amazing story of God’s power and deliverance.

What I want you to remember is that this isn’t just an interesting story that’s told in children’s Sunday School classes, but it is a look at God’s heart and desire to intervene in the lives of His people.

Gideon’s army of 300 men should have been easily defeated. He had every reason to fear but God never left him to his own abilities. We pick up the story in Judges chapter 7.

“Gideon’s army camp was on top of a hill overlooking the Midianite camp in the valley.

9 That night, the Lord said to Gideon. “Get up! Attack the Midianite camp. I am going to let you defeat them, 10 but if you’re still afraid, you and your servant Purah should sneak down to their camp. 11 When you hear what the Midianites are saying, you’ll be brave enough to attack.” Judges 7:8-11 CEV

From the top of the hill where they were camped Gideon and his men could see the enemy camp. There were men and camels as far as the eye could see.

” 12 The camp was huge. The Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern nations covered the valley like a swarm of locusts. And it would be easier to count the grains of sand on a beach than to count their camels.” verse 12

Gideon was able to sneak up on two guards of the camp and overheard this conversation:

“Your dream must have been about Gideon, the Israelite commander. It means God will let him and his army defeat the Midianite army and everyone else in our camp.” verse 14

Gideon went back to his camp, divided his men into three groups of 100. He gave each man a trumpet and a torch concealed in a clay pot. Trumpets were used to sound the attack and torches would light their way. Gideon told them to wait for him to blow his trumpet and smash the jar holding the light and then they should follow suit.

“ The rest of Gideon’s soldiers blew the trumpets they were holding in their right hands. Then they smashed the jars and held the burning torches in their left hands. Everyone shouted, “Fight with your swords for the Lord and for Gideon!”

21 The enemy soldiers started yelling and tried to run away. Gideon’s troops stayed in their positions surrounding the camp 22 and blew their trumpets again. As they did, the Lord made the enemy soldiers pull out their swords and start fighting each other.” verses 20-22

Gideon’s men stayed in their places while confusion reigned in the enemy camp and they turned on one another; killing those in their encampment. When the enemy fled, Gideon pursued. Gideon sent messengers to the surrounding villages to come help in the fight. That day, the Bible says, over 120,000 of their enemies were killed.

I can’t help but remember different times in the Bible when trumpets were blown and other enemies were overcome. The trumpet sound was a sound of deliverance.

We who are followers of Christ should not fear. We are waiting for the sound of the trumpet.

“It will happen suddenly, quicker than the blink of an eye. At the sound of the last trumpet the dead will be raised. We will all be changed, so we will never die again. ” I Corinthians 15:52 CEV

Victory is ours in Christ.

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Victory at Fear Spring

I am really enjoying this look at Gideon’s life and the way God used him. I hope you are too.

When we left Gideon, he had destroyed the altar of Baal, and the Lord told him he would defeat the nations who were out to destroy Israel. Gideon sounded a trumpet, and his neighbors came to enlist in the fight. Messengers were sent to the surrounding tribes and more fighting men arrived.

Gideon had an army.

“Then they set out toward the enemy camp.

36-37 Gideon prayed to God, “I know that you promised to help me rescue Israel, but I need proof. Tonight I’ll spread a sheep skin on the stone floor of that threshing-place over there. If you really will help me rescue Israel, then tomorrow morning let there be dew on the skin, but let the stone floor be dry.”

38 And that’s just what happened. Early the next morning, Gideon got up and checked the sheep skin. He squeezed out enough water to fill a bowl. 39 But Gideon prayed to God again. “Don’t be angry with me,” Gideon said. “Let me try this just one more time, so I’ll really be sure you’ll help me. Only this time, let the skin be dry and the stone floor be wet.”

40 That night, God made the stone floor wet with dew, but he kept the sheep skin dry.” Judges 6:335-40 CEV

Let me repeat what I said a few days back. God doesn’t mind honest questions. Gideon was putting his life and the life of his men on the line, and he needed to be sure that God was leading him in this battle.

Gideon and his army went and camped at “Fear Springs”. Somehow that seems appropriate. This was the place where the Lord would remove all fear in a very unusual way. He began to reduce the size of the army.

“The Lord said, “Gideon, your army is too big. I can’t let you win with this many soldiers. The Israelites would think that they had won the battle all by themselves and that I didn’t have anything to do with it.” Judges 7:2 CEV

Everyone who was afraid to fight was told to go home. Twenty-two thousand, two-thirds of the soldiers, went home. The Lord told Gideon you still have too many men. Take them to the Spring to drink. Separate the men into two groups – those who lay down to drink from the spring and those who scoop the water up in their hands. Of the ten thousand who remained only 300 scooped up the water; Gideon sent the rest home.

“ Then Gideon gave these orders, ‘You 300 men stay here. The rest of you may go home, but leave your food and trumpets with us.’ Gideon’s army camp was on top of a hill overlooking the Midianite camp in the valley.” Judges 7:8 CEV

It wasn’t just the Midianites that Gideon was about to face.

“All the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern nations got together and crossed the Jordan River. Then they invaded the land of Israel and set up camp in Jezreel Valley.” Judges 6:33 CEV

Gideon is left with 300 men and God’s promise to be with them to fight the armies of these nations. Before the physical battle, they first had to win the mental and emotional battle. They had to conquer the battle at “Fear Springs”.

We face that same battle. Tomorrow we’ll cover the physical battle and the victory but today I encourage you to face “Fear Springs” and let the Lord show you how you can trust Him in the face of overwhelming odds.

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“The Lord Calms Our Fears”

Dave and I had an amazing weekend at the Grand Canyon. The beauty of the Lord’s creation is breath taking. It definitely reveals God’s greatness.

This morning, we will go back to Judges 6 and look at how the Lord revealed His greatness to Gideon.

 “Gideon,” the Lord answered, ‘you can rescue Israel because I am going to help you! Defeating the Midianites will be as easy as beating up one man.’

17 Gideon said, ‘It’s hard to believe that I’m actually talking to the Lord. Please do something so I’ll know that you really are the Lord. 18 And wait here until I bring you an offering.’

‘All right, I’ll wait,’ the Lord answered.” Judges 6:16-18 CEV

Gideon was sincere in his questions to the Lord. The Lord was patient and reassured Gideon that He would be his help.

Gideon went to make a meal for the Lord. He killed a goat, boiled it, made bread, baked it, then brought a bowl of broth, goat’s meat and a cake to offer to the Lord. I don’t know how long all this took but there was no microwave oven or air fryer so it took a while and the Lord waited.

When Gideon returned with the meal an angel had him put it on a rock and then the angel touched it with a staff and fire consumed it.

“Gideon realized that he had seen one of the Lord’s angels. ‘Oh!” he moaned. ‘Now I’m going to die.’ 23 ‘Calm down!’ the Lord told Gideon. ‘There’s nothing to be afraid of. You’re not going to die.’” Judges 6:22-23 CEV

Gideon was face to face with the Lord and saw His greatness. Remember, this is the same man who was threshing the wheat in a pit so he wouldn’t be seen by the Midianites who had been raiding his village. Fear was his middle name.

His people had been serving Baal and other gods for years. They had been rebellious, self-willed and had ignored God’s instructions. And now, the Lord had chosen this village, this man with his low self-esteem to be their delivered.

As the Lord’s instruction, Gideon went out that night with ten servants and his father’s second best bull and destroyed the altar of Baal. He used the wood to reconstruct an altar on the highest hill in town and then sacrificed the bull to the Lord.

“Gideon chose ten of his servants to help him, and they did everything God had said. But since Gideon was afraid of his family and the other people in Ophrah, he did it all at night.” verse 27 CEV

The next morning the town’s people and his father saw what he had done. The town’s people wanted to kill him, but his father stopped them by saying that Baal could defend himself if he really was a god. Gideon’s father changed his son’s name to Jerubbaal.

“That same day, Joash changed Gideon’s name to Jerubbaal, explaining, “He tore down Baal’s altar, so let Baal take revenge himself.” verse 32

Gideon’s story is one of conversion. His encounter with the Lord took him from serving Baal to honoring and obeying the Lord. The Lord’s words, “There’s nothing to be afraid of.” are also for us today.

When we depend on the Lord we will hear Him, “Fear not, I am with you”. Claim this day to be fear-free and trust in the Lord.

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