Category: Encouragement

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Asleep in the Storm

It’s been raining off and on for the last couple of hours. It’s a nice rain but there has also been some pretty impressive lightning and a few loud claps of thunder. It woke me up but I believe Dave is still sleeping.

Now that’s peace.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

God isn’t the one who brings tribulation into our lives, but He IS the one who brings us peace in the tribulation. How can we have peace? Glad you asked. God is there with us and through Him we overcome what this world throws at us.

As I sat here listening to the rain falling on the roof I was reminded of several people in the Bible who slept through their storms. The first, of course, was Jesus.

“ 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

Then there was Peter: “One night, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two of the soldiers. More soldiers were guarding the door of the jail. Herod was planning to bring Peter out before the people the next day. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord was standing there, and the room was filled with light. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him up. The angel said, ‘Hurry, get up!‘ The chains fell off Peter’s hands. 8 The angel said, ‘Get dressed and put on your sandals.’ Peter did as he was told. Then the angel said, ‘Put on your coat and follow me.’” Acts 12:6-8 ERV

Daniel had some strange bedtime companions: “The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. 20 He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.’21 Daniel answered, ‘King, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.’” Daniel 6:20-22 ERV

Now, how about us? We may not face a storm at sea or be chained in prison or spend the night with lions but we have personal storms. “You have put more joy and rejoicing in my heart than [they know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly. 8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” Psalm 4:7-8 AMPC

Today, I pray that you know peace and your lives are filled with rest.

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Sing in the Silence

The last couple of days I have seen pictures on Facebook that friends have shared of the full moon. They’ve been beautiful. This morning I walked out to enjoy the splendor myself.

My I-phone didn’t do it justice, so I just stood and took it all in. The quiet, the majesty, the awesome work of God. I heard in my heart what I had read on the pages of my Bible only minutes earlier and I knew that this day, this time, this space was dedicated to praising the Lord.

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him on high! 2 Praise Him, all His angels! Praise Him, all His army! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon! Praise Him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord! For He spoke and they came into being. 6 He has made them last forever and ever. He has set a Law which will not pass away.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you large sea animals and all seas, 8 fire and hail, snow and clouds, and wind storms, obeying His Word. 9 Praise the Lord, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all tall trees, 10 wild animals and all cattle, small animals that move on the ground and birds that fly, 11 kings of the earth and all people, princes and all leaders of the earth, 12 both young men and women who have never had men, and old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord. For His name alone is honored. His shining-greatness is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for His people, praise for all who belong to Him, for the people of Israel, who are near to Him. Praise the Lord! Psalm 148 NLV

There is not one thing that the Lord created and formed that does not give Him praise. They all declare His glory, so they were created to praise their maker. So were we. But we have the option to complain if we choose to. We can use our words to fault-find and spew criticism or to offer praise and encouragement.

“ A man’s stomach will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. He will be filled with what his lips speak. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20-21 NLV

Our praise honors the Father. The Psalms say that He inhabits our praise but our praise also encourages us. It puts our focus on Who God is and His mighty power.

Start the day, singing in the silence, before the cares of life come crashing in. Take a listen from the birds, the first thing we hear each morning is their song.

Sing praise to the Lord – sing praises!

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Wipe Away All Tears

How many times have I sat alone, crying, while talking to my Father. Tears flow freely in His presence. Times of devastation, disappointment, heartbreak, empathy, pure joy and inexpressible love – can cause my eyes to overflow.

“And the Lord God will wipe away every tear from every face. In the past, all of his people were sad, but God will take away that sadness from the earth. All of this will happen because the Lord said it would.

9 At that time people will say, ‘Here is our God! He is the one we have been waiting for.  He has come to save us. We have been waiting for our Lord. So we will rejoice and be happy when he saves us.‘” Isaiah 25:8-9 ERV

I’m so grateful for my husband, he is a loving and caring man. He’s a good father and an example of our loving heavenly Father.

I don’t think there has ever been a time when our kids have called out to their “daddy” asking him to help that he has not responded in a positive way. He has never refused to help when it has been physically, emotionally, spiritually or financially possible. He’s been there every time!

Now he may have given them a lecture regarding the circumstances that have led up to them getting in trouble but he has never refused to help.

Good example of the heavenly Father.

I was thinking this morning about how many times it says in Scripture, “I cried unto the Lord and he heard me”. Then I thought of the number of times I have called out to the Father. I have always known He was there! He heard me and He was there!

He either changed the situation or walk me through it. He has always been with me. He gave me His word and He never breaks His promises.

“I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah” Psalm 3:4

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears” Psalm 18:6

“O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.” Psalm 30:2

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 I trust God, so I am not afraid of what people can do to me! I praise God for his promise to me…8 You know I am very upset. You know how much I have cried. Surely you have kept an account of all my tears. 9 I know that when l call for help, my enemies will turn and run.  I know that because God is with me!” Psalm 56:3-9 ERV

“Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:6

“I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” Psalm 142:5

The Lord never tells us to go away. Instead, He told us to come BOLDLY to the throne of God’s grace and find help in time of trouble. (Hebrews 4:16)

And Jesus said for all those who are weary and weighted down to come to Him and find rest! (Matthew 11:28)

Jesus invited ALL to come so that includes well…everyone!

Take the step today – cry out today, come…He’s there to help and He will wipe away our tears!

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A Three Hour Tour

Some of you who are my age, or a little younger, know this reference.

In the 1960’s there was a television show called “Gilligan’s Island”. A charter boat set sail for a 3-hour tour. Instead, they were caught in a storm and stranded on a deserted island. Great premise for a tv show, right?

What about real life? Have you ever felt like you were stranded on a deserted island and no one knew you were there? Let me share a life experience with you.

In January of 1982, Dave and I, along with two other couples, founded a ministry called Christian Cowboys Assn. Prior to that we were running a hay operation for an absentee owner. We had 900 acres of alfalfa and the owner sold the bales from a storage barn in Peoria.

We had two small children, kindergarten and first grade, we drove company vehicles, lived rent free in a manufactured home, and received a good wage. Our only expenses were our groceries and clothing. We had it made.

About that time, the Lord started dealing with our hearts to establish an outreach to working cowboys and ranchers. Those folks who had to work 24/7 during the growing season and couldn’t get to town for church or any kind of fellowship.

We began holding evening Bible Studies, three of them in different locations each week. When we weren’t working hay, we would hold Sunday Cowboy Church. The Lord blessed the outreach and we knew we needed to leave the farm and all that it offered and step out “full-time” to continue ministry.

There was no church backing or financial support but we had a few people from the Bible Studies felt led to give an offering from time to time. We went to the owner of the farm and told him we needed to quit and pursue ministry. He understood completely but was one of the few who did.

That brings us to the Scripture I felt led to share today.

We had one well-intentioned family member say to us, “You know, you don’t need to go overboard with this ministry stuff”. To which Dave replied, “You have to go overboard, if you’re going to walk on water”. And so we did.

“Later in the evening, he was still there. 24 By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. 25 A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples. 26 When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.

27 At once, Jesus said to them, “Don’t worry! I am Jesus. Don’t be afraid.” 28 Peter replied, “Lord, if it really is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come on!” Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward him.

30 But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.31 At once, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You surely don’t have much faith. Why do you doubt?” 32 When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down.” Matthew 14:23-32 CEV

There were many times we felt we were about to sink and we called out to the Lord. He always lifted us up and calmed our fears.

If you’ve stepped out but feel you’re sinking do what Peter did. Say, Lord, save me! He will!!

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The Greater Gift

We are living in a time when there is so much uncertainty. A time when the Bible says, “men’s hearts will fail them for fear”. Unrest around the world, unusual weather conditions, financial distress and the daily fears and anxieties that inundate.

“The hearts of men will give up because of being afraid of what is coming on the earth. The powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Luke 21:26 NLV

But in all of this, we have received a gift that will keep our minds set on things above. It is a “present” to us all.

The ever-“present” power of God has been given to us as a gift.

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP

Did you get that? He will not, He WILL not, HE WLL NOT fail us or leave us without support!!!

A lot of people get hung up on the first part of verse 5 and lose the impact of the second half of the verse. But let me put it to you this way. I have two gifts. The first is limited, it’s temporary, it will run out and be used up. The second is limitless, eternal, inexhaustible, constantly renewable. Which one do you choose?

Which one is the greater gift?

Moses said to the children of Israel; I set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose life! That’s what this verse is saying – don’t go running after riches but instead choose God who promises to never leave you because in Him is an infinite supply for whatever we need.

We have been given a wonderful Gift who is always present.

“This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be “Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 ERV

And that Son has promised to never leave us or abandon us, regardless of life’s circumstances.

Jesus said: “… I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20 CEV

Now, let’s ask and answer the question in Hebrews 13:6. What can man do to me?

When God is on my side, as my comfort, my encourager, my helper, man’s attacks are incomparable to God’s power. Circumstances and situations change when we put them in God’s hands. Storms come; attacks are launched but we have been given a gift greater than wealth or fame. We have been given the gift of His abiding presence.

The greater gift is ours!

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Set Your Heart

This morning my heart has been on a trip. It has been in Texas, California, Arizona, to England and to the states and towns where you live. My heart felt prayers have gone out to my family especially and to you, whom I also consider my family.

But then, my heart ended its travels set in heaven.

“You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. 2 Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth. 3 You died, which means that your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God. 4 Christ gives meaning to your life, and when he appears, you will also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 CEV

As a child I played a lot of hide-n-seek. We always played after dark. The subdivision we lived in was built in a pecan grove. We had big pecan trees and also some elm trees. These gave us lots of cover and great places to hide. Once we found a good hiding place, we never wanted to reveal it because we could always use it again. It was safe and concealed from the outside world.

That’s what I think of when I read “your life is hidden with Christ, who sits beside God”. I can’t imagine a place that is any safer than that. Our new life is in Christ, right next to God the Father.

We keep our heart hidden in Christ because it guards our emotions and our thoughts.

“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.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

Remember what King David wrote in the Psalms.

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection.
2 I say to the Lord, ‘You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.’ 3 God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.”Psalm 91:1-4 ERV

Keeping our hearts set on things above is another way of saying our hearts need to trust the Lord completely. He will lead us and protect us when our hearts are focused on Him.

“ 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 4:5-7 CEV

Keep your heart set on things above. When we do we have peace, protection, and we will be led on the right path.

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To the Uttermost

What a strange word. Uttermost.

As defined by Merriam-Webster: “most remote or outermost; farthest. the uttermost stars. 2. of the greatest or highest degree, quantity, etc.; greatest. The country’s art has reached uttermost creativity.“

Why would a word like that come up in my mind? I’m sure the Lord put it there this morning!

“But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” Hebrews 7:24-27 NKJV

God, our heavenly Father, is able!

Able means He has the ability to do or complete the task set before Him. He is able to work on our behalf to save to the uttermost.

Because He is a loving Father he won’t force Himself on us and He won’t force us to take the benefits He has for us. But if we will allow Him to work in our lives we will see His ability working on our behalf.

“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.” Ephesians 3:19-21 ERV

When we know God’s love, His power can work in our lives to bring Him glory.

“18 Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering.” Hebrews 2:18 AMP

He is able to help us immediately when we are being tempted because He was also tempted and suffered.

“God is strong and can (is able to) keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. 25 He is the only God, the one who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25 CEV

God is able to keep us! He is able to save us!

“But Jesus will never die, and so he will be a priest forever! 25 He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because he always lives to speak to God for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 CEV

Maybe you’re one who feels you have been too far gone – gone like the prodigal son – gone to the uttermost. Not so, God’s love supersedes our sin. He is able to save to the uttermost.

Father, today I give you my availability so that Your abilities may work in me, through me and for me!

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Standing Strong

It seems the theme for the last days has been victory. I like that!

I like being declared the winner. I received two trophies in my life; one for most improved bowler when I was in my early 20’s and one for placing 1st at a speech tournament when I was in high school.

But in Christ, I have won!

I’ve been declared the winner, not because of my own talents or great efforts, but because I am on the winning side. My team captain has been called the Champion of Champions. He has defeated death, hell and the grave.

“When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He put his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the one who lives. I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18 ERV

“David did God’s will during the time he lived. Then he died and was buried like all his ancestors. And his body did rot in the grave! 37 But the one God raised from death did not rot in the grave. 38-39 Brothers, understand what we are telling you. You can have forgiveness of your sins through this Jesus. The Law of Moses could not free you from your sins. But you can be made right with God if you believe in Jesus.” Acts 13:36-39 ERV

I hope the verses I shared yesterday are filling you with hope and encouragement. We have been given this power that raised Jesus from the dead.

“ The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. If the same Holy Spirit lives in you, He will give life to your bodies in the same way.” Romans 8:11-13 NLV

Jesus, the one who spoke to storms, healed the lame, raised the dead and freely gave forgiveness to sinners, is the One who paid for our redemption. His death and resurrection gives us the ultimate victory.

I love this old hymn that was written in 1834.

The Solid Rock

“My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.”

I will not move off my stand on God’s Word! It is the foundation of my life and it has remained true through the ages.

” 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 did not fall, because it was built on solid rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

God’s Word has never failed and it never will! On Christ the solid rock I stand!!

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Victory in Jesus…

…because of the cross!

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

That my friend is a life of victory!

As a Christian we aren’t promised a life void of conflict or battles, but we are promised to emerge from those battles just like David in his fight with Goliath; we are promised victory. Today, we are going to run our cups over with victory.

“ In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love…” Romans 8:37-38 CEV

“ I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

“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

“ Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11  Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:10-13 CEV

“ 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

Jesus said: “The time will come and is already here when all of you will be scattered. Each of you will go back home and leave me by myself. But the Father will be with me, and I won’t be alone. 33 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 16:32-33 CEV

“God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:14-15 CEV

The words of the Bible are very plain. We have the victory in Christ Jesus! We have been given the power to stand in the presence of our enemies! They HAVE BEEN defeated by Christ when He hung on the cross.

O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

That old hymn means more to me today than when I was a child. My life has been filled with victory because of His blood! Oh, victory in Jesus!!

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The Heart of God

We’ve all seen those little labels that are put on the products we buy. Made in U.S.A., China, Japan, Mexico, Canada…

Do you realize that we were made in the heart of God and He sees us as priceless?

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. 4 In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. 6 And this brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the one he loves.” Ephesians 1:3-6 ERV

We were conceived in God’s heart before He made the world! I know, it’s almost impossible to fathom that God had us in mind before anything that we know and see was created. He was thinking of us.

“You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me. 2 You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts.3 You notice everything I do and everywhere I go. 4 Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say,
5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side. 6 I can’t understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.” Psalm 139:1-6 CEV

Our heavenly Father knows the words we will speak, where we will go and even the number of the hairs on our head. He has tattooed our picture on the palm of His hands.

“I drew a picture of you on my hand. You are always before my eyes” Isaiah 49:16 ERV

We are priceless to Him!

“ Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life” John 3:16 ERV

He gave the One He dearly loved so that we could be joined to them.

“Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything about me. 17 Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.
18 I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach.
And when I awake, I will find you nearby.” Psalm 139:16-18 ERV

God has spent eternity thinking of us. The thoughts He has toward us are immeasurable.

“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.” Ephesians 3:19 ERV

“But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us. 9 We have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger.” Romans 5:8-9 ERV

God, our heavenly Father, wants us to know Him personally. He wants us to know the depth of His love for us. He wants us to know that we are priceless to Him!

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