Category: Encouragement

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Life Giving Water

The last two nights we have had a couple of short, hard rains. I’m talking blowing wind, big drops, some thunder and lightning, and it’s over. This desert needs the water.

It seems a little early for the monsoons to start but I’m not complaining. Grateful, yes grateful, for the water. We will soon begin to see signs of new life.

When we first returned to Arizona the house we purchased had been neglected. The front and back yards were a mess; a couple of mesquite trees, a few barrel cactus and two ocotillos. The rest was dry wild grass.

It was those two ocotillo that the Lord used to teach me a spiritual lesson.

They looked dead but we decided to start giving them a little bit of water and see what would happen. Each morning, we would run a slow drip of water on them and by the end of that first week they had little leaves beginning to pop out on what had been dry branches. In a few weeks they were covered in new life and bright orange blossoms were beginning to appear on the end of the branches.

We all go through times when our hearts and emotions are dry. We feel brittle and almost dead inside. What we need is the living water that God’s word supplies and just like those ocotillo we will begin to show signs of new life.

“I will pour water for thirsty people, and streams will flow through the desert. I will pour my Spirit on your children, and I will bless your family. 4 They will sprout like grass in the spring and grow like trees by streams of water.” Isaiah 44:3 ERV

I’m so glad that I didn’t prune the Ocotillo thinking it was dead. My pruning would have killed it for sure.

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. 6 If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 Stay joined together with me, and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. 8 Show that you are my followers by producing much fruit. This will bring honor to my Father.” John 15:5-8 ERV

I’m very glad that I’m not responsible for pruning my life or the life of other believers but it’s the Father, the master gardener, who is responsible to prune our lives. He knows when something is dead and He knows exactly where to cut without causing damage. He also knows when all we need is water, the water of His word, and we will flourish once again.

Are you in a dry place?

Let God’s word water your roots and you’ll begin to flourish once again. He is our source of life-giving water.

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Stay Put

Just a bit of a different take on a verse this morning. I don’t think I’ve ever used a clothing accessory in a teaching before but as they say there’s a first time for everything.

Are you familiar with collar stays?

When I was in high school and would iron my dad’s dress shirts it was important to remember to put the collar stays in place when I was finished. I did the same thing for Dave when we were first married. All the nicer dress shirts came with collar stays. They kept a man’s collar for rolling down; they were stiff, rigid and kept the collar looking freshly pressed. It presented a professional image.

Why am I talking about collar stays and how do they apply to today’s teaching?

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. 4 So always trust the Lord
because he is forever our mighty rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

Stayed – rigid, firm, unbending, like a rock.

Last night I was startled awake at midnight. It was so abrupt that my heart was racing and I was shaken. I laid there for a while trying to calm myself and go back to sleep but I was unsuccessful. I got up and came to the couch and laid down here.

I prayed. Then this verse came to mind, and I could hear the Lord speak into my heart, “Kristi, you need to be stayed”. Along with that admonition came the picture of those silly collar stays.

I needed my mind to be stayed. Focused singularly on the Father and His promise to never leave me or abandon me. He promises to be my rock and my hiding place, my ever present help in time of trouble. I have been told to come boldly into His throne room to find help in time of need.

Yes, stayed on His word.

I wasn’t frightened, I didn’t feel as if I was in danger, but my peace had escaped me. It needed to return.

The Lord and talked for a long time and sleep came.

“3  and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.” Psalm 23:3 CEV

I hope this was helpful to you today, I know it was for me. I plan to stay put, with my mind on my Almighty God and loving Father.

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Only One Spirit & One Lord

Now you may think that I get up each morning and do a word search so I can find verses in the Bible with the words follow or lead in them, but I don’t. I do pick up my Bible and say, “Father, show me where you want me to read”. This is where I ended up this morning.

“ My friends, you asked me about spiritual gifts. 2 I want you to remember that before you became followers of the Lord, you were led in all the wrong ways by idols that cannot even talk. 3 Now I want you to know that if you are led by God’s Spirit, you will say that Jesus is Lord, and you will never curse Jesus. 4  There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. 5 There are different ways to serve the same Lord, 6 and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do. 7 The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.” I Corinthians 12:1-7 CEV

Do you remember the story of Winnie the Pooh?

Frankly I remember it more from the cartoons I watched with my children then from reading it or having it read to me but Winnie the Pooh is one of my favorites.

As I became older, I developed a philosophy that every person can be identified as one of the characters in that story, maybe you’ve even heard me say that. Christopher Robin, Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga & Roo. All very different personalities yet they all work together to bring love & understanding to their world and to accomplish their tasks.

God the Father has written our story with purpose and design, Jesus came to show love to all of us and the Holy Spirit is here to lead us each day.

While some of us act like owl with the gift of administration, others have hospitality like Tigger. Pooh is always encouraging, and Rabbit makes sure everyone has a task to do. Piglet and Roo are there to remind us that we should always reassure those who are younger and inexperienced while Kanga provides the nurturing and love that we all need. And Eeyore reminds us that everyone has fears and self-doubts that we need our friends to help us through.

Instead of looking at those around us and either being jealous of their gifts or critical of them it’s important for us to remember that it is God who gives the gifts, and they are not for our benefit but the benefit of others.

“A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. 5 That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.

6  God has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. 7 If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. 8 If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:4-8 CEV

Who will come across our paths today? Some are there to help us grow and others need our help.

Let the Spirit lead!

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Greener Pastures

Living in rural areas it has been my privilege to see bands of sheep grazing in the fields. Sheep have healthy appetites and so they must be moved to new pastures on a regular basis.

“2-3 But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out. 4 When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice…9 I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully. 11  I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.” John 10:2-11 CEV

It’s a foolish sheep that would want to stay in a pasture once the grass has been grazed off. It’s a good shepherd who knows when it’s time to move to greener pastures. We had a good shepherd to follow.

“You are my hiding place!  You protect me from trouble, and you put songs in my heart because you have saved me. 8 You said to me, ‘I will point out the road that you should follow. I will be your teacher and watch over you.‘” Psalm 32:7-8 CEV

When we follow Christ, we can trust His leading. This morning, my Bible reading took me to the book of Daniel where I saw something in a new light.

“2  The Lord let Nebuchadnezzar capture Jehoiakim…One day the king ordered Ashpenaz, his highest palace official, to choose some young men from the royal family of Judah and from other leading Jewish families. 4 The king said, ‘They must be healthy, handsome, smart, wise, educated, and fit to serve in the royal palace. Teach them how to speak and write our language 5 and give them the same food and wine that I am served. Train them for three years, and then they can become court officials.’

8 Daniel made up his mind to eat and drink only what God had approved for his people to eat. And he asked the king’s chief official for permission not to eat the food and wine served in the royal palace…17 God made the four young men smart and wise. They read a lot of books and became well educated. Daniel could also tell the meaning of dreams and visions.18 At the end of the three-year period set by King Nebuchadnezzar, his chief palace official brought all the young men to him.19 The king interviewed them and discovered that none of the others were as outstanding as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were given positions in the royal court.” Daniel 1 CEV

Most of us would not think that being taken into captivity was a leading to greener pastures but for Daniel and his friends it was. God elevated them to a place of authority and influence. He gave them favor and they were respected for their wisdom.

Further reading of the book of Daniel reveals multiple times that Daniel’s dependence on God opened the door for the Lord to do miracles and mighty works, prompting the kings he served to declare God’s might and power.

“King Darius then sent this message to all people of every nation and race in the world: ‘Greetings to all of you! 26 I command everyone in my kingdom to worship and honor the God of Daniel. He is the living God, the one who lives forever. His power and his kingdom
will never end. 27 He rescues people and sets them free by working great miracles.” Daniel 6:25-27 CEV

Even when we feel we have been thrown to the lions, if we are trusting God we will see we are in the greener pastures that He has prepared for us. Our focus should always be on following the Good Shepherd; He leads us to an abundant life.

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Leave The Past Behind

Part of following Christ is not looking back. We all have things in our past that we regret and would have done differently.

Let’s look at the Apostle Paul’s writings in I Corinthians 11.

“Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1 CEV

Paul tells the church at Corinth to follow him in the same way he is following Christ. This is the same man, Saul, who was persecuting the Christians, who stood at the stoning of Stephen, and was a Pharisee of the Pharisees. This is the man, Paul, who met the Lord on the road to Damascus and was converted, the man who learned from the Holy Spirit in the desert the truth in the Scriptures he had memorized many years earlier and who had now been given a mandate from God to share the truth of the Gospel and the good news of grace with the world.

He called himself the chief sinner.

“Christ Jesus our Lord treated me with undeserved grace and has greatly blessed my life with faith and love just like his own. 15 ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.‘ This saying is true, and it can be trusted. I was the worst sinner of all! 16 But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life.” I Timothy 1:14-16 CEV

He had learned that following Christ would lead him before the most prominent men of his day and that it would also lead him into the depths of the dungeons, leave him in chains, subject him to beatings and stoning and yet in all things cause him to be victorious as he followed Christ.

In all the persecution, he never harbored a grudge. He loved those who persecuted him and ministered to those who held him captive. His imprisonment wasn’t a detriment but instead it became the solitude that allowed him to write over half of the New Testament. His letters were the instruction and encouragement that the Christians needed and life in prison allowed him to focus on his writings and listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In Paul’s life as a Christian you don’t find complaint but rather find praise; there isn’t a display of weakness but instead God’s ever enduring strength.

“ I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. 13 My friends, I don’t feel I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. 14 I run toward the goal, so I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. 15 All of us who are mature should think in this same way. And if any of you think differently, God will make it clear to you.” Philippians 3:12-15 CEV

We all need to follow Paul’s example. Leave the past behind and follow Christ.

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Strutting Roosters

Attitude is so important. It is probably one of the key ingredients to being taught and learning well. A good attitude is a true sign of leadership.

Think back to your favorite teacher in High School or the person assigned to give you training at your new job.

Were they condescending with a “I can’t believe you are so ignorant and uninformed” attitude or were they genuinely helpful and patient, giving you the guidance and even the hands-on experience that you needed to understand the concepts being presented?

It’s our patient instruction that helps our children as they grow in knowledge and skill. It’s the patient driving instructor that puts us at ease when we venture on to the freeway for the first time. It’s the calm demeanor of the cowboy that gives us our first riding lesson that keeps the horse and the rider from being anxious.

Then why do we think that a sanctimonious, pious, turn or burn attitude will be what leads others to a closer and more mature walk with the Lord?

“…But knowledge makes us proud of ourselves, while love makes us helpful to others. 2 In fact, people who think they know so much don’t know anything at all. 3 But God has no doubts about who loves him.” I Corinthians 8:1-3 CEV

Another version of this verse says knowledge puffs up (gives a big head) but love edifies (builds up).

Jesus said that we shouldn’t be so quick to point out a splinter in the eye of others when we have a beam in our own eye. The Apostle Paul has this to say about judging others and how God deals with us.

“Some of you accuse others of doing wrong. But there is no excuse for what you do. When you judge others, you condemn yourselves, because you are guilty of doing the very same things…4  You surely don’t think much of God’s wonderful goodness or of his patience and willingness to put up with you. Don’t you know that the reason God is good to you is because he wants you to turn to him?” Romans 2:1-4 CEV

The Holy Spirit corrects us without condemning us. It is the goodness of God that convicts us and draws us to Him.

I don’t know about you but I would much rather be someone who builds others up than one who is puffed up like a strutting rooster. Look around today and see who you can encourage, who needs your patient instruction. Build them up!

Be blessed.

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Be Alert

A couple of days ago I made mention of the game we played, Follow the Leader. As a follower we needed to be alert to the actions of the leader, if they went right so did we. If they jumped, we did too. We were watchful.

In Psalm 23 a different type of alertness is described. It’s the leader who is alert. Using His rod and staff to direct our progress so we don’t fall into dangerous situations.

In my prayer time today, those are the two words that rose up in my heart, be alert. Immediately I remembered the story of Gideon and his army of 300 mighty men. In case you aren’t familiar with Gideon I will give you a brief backstory.

Gideon was the seventh son, last man in line for any inheritance or blessing. The Israelites were being attacked by Midianites every harvest time. They would rob the grain that the Israelites had grown. It got so bad that Gideon was threshing the family crop in a pit to avoid detection.

This is where the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon. He needed Gideon to lead an assault. He came to a cowering nobody and this is what He said and Gideon’s response:

“ The angel appeared and spoke to Gideon, ‘The Lord is helping you, and you are a strong warrior.‘ 13 Gideon answered, ‘Please don’t take this wrong, but if the Lord is helping us, then why have all of these awful things happened?…'” Judges 6:12-13 CEV

Through a series of events (I encourage you to read the whole story in Judges 6-8), the Lord showed Gideon if he would follow God’s leading, Gideon and his army could defeat the Midianites and the Amalekites who had been warring against them.

Gideon had 32,000 men enlist in the fight. The Lord said that was too many so Gideon sent home everyone who admitted they were afraid; 22,000 left.

“‘Gideon’, the Lord said, ‘you still have too many soldiers. Take them down to the spring and I’ll test them. I’ll tell you which ones can go along with you and which ones must go back home.’5 When Gideon led his army down to the spring, the Lord told him, ‘Watch how each man gets a drink of water. Then divide them into two groups—those who lap the water like a dog and those who kneel down to drink.’ 6 Three hundred men scooped up water in their hands and lapped it, and the rest knelt to get a drink. 7 The Lord said, ‘Gideon, your army will be made up of everyone who lapped the water from their hands. Send the others home. I’m going to rescue Israel by helping you and your army of 300 defeat the Midianites.’” Judges 7:4-6 CEV

300 men – men who were alert, always checking their surroundings for the enemy. With these 300 men at the ready, God led Gideon to victory!

“…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.” Judges 7:20-22 CEV

After the battle was over Gideon had gone from being the least respected man in town to hero. They wanted him to be there king.

“ ‘No,’ Gideon replied, ‘I won’t be your king, and my son won’t be king either. Only the Lord is your ruler.” Judges 8:23 CEV

God found in Gideon someone who was willing to be used. Gideon, with God’s leading found men who were alert and ready for battle.

“The eyes of the Lord go around looking in all the earth for people who are faithful to him so that he can make them strong.” II Chronicles 16:9 ERV

God is looking for those who will follow His lead.

“Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you. 8 Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy, and he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to attack and eat.” I Peter 5:7-8 ERV

“So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you.” James 4:7  ERV

Just like the enemy ran from Gideon’s army, our enemy will run when we stand in God’s strength and follow His lead. Be Alert!

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Ready to Lead?

When we follow the Lord there will be a time and place that He calls on us to lead. It may be a Sunday School class, a study group, a section leader, an administrator, a city, a nation or a family.

God is always looking for faithful people who have a heart for Him. He had Noah “lead” all the animals on to the ark. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. A shepherd boy named David was God’s chosen leader of the nation of Israel. The apostles were sent by Jesus to lead the world to salvation.

Each one of us has a purpose, designed by God to lead in some particular way.

This morning, I want to focus on Moses. He was a reluctant leader. He had all sorts of excuses when God first called him from the burning bush. However, he was obedient and led them out of the bondage they experienced to the Promised Land.

The Israelites weren’t always willing followers. They were often times rebellious trying Moses’ patience and God’s. The whole time that Moses was leading the people he was also following God.

Good leaders are good followers!

“God replied, “I will be with you. And you will know that I am the one who sent you, when you worship me on this mountain after you have led my people out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:12 CEV

Moses led the people by following God’s cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.

“Because of your great mercy, you never abandoned them in the desert. And you always guided them with a cloud by day and a fire at night.” Nehemiah 9:19 CEV

Moses was faithful in seeking God’s direction.

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘I know that you have told me to lead these people to the land you promised them. But you have not said who will go along to help me. You have said that you are my friend and that you are pleased with me. 13 If this is true, let me know what your plans are, then I can obey and continue to please you. And don’t forget that you have chosen this nation to be your own.’

14 The Lord said, ‘I will go with you and give you peace.’

15 Then Moses replied, ‘If you aren’t going with us, please don’t make us leave this place. 16 But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth.'” Exodus 33:12-16 CEV

When God puts us in a place of leadership, we need to have the same mindset that Moses had. “If You don’t go with us, then I’m not going”. When the Lord goes with us, we will have His peace. We can trust His leading.

The Apostle Paul started out as a persecutor of Christians but when God turned his life around he became the leader of churches worldwide.

“ But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life. 17 I pray that honor and glory will always be given to the only God, who lives forever and is the invisible and eternal King! Amen.” I Timothy1:16-17 CEV

We serve and follow the same eternal, invisible, Almighty God. He will direct our steps. When He asks we need to be ready to lead.

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Family Values

This morning my thoughts are filled with memories of my parents. For all my life June 9th was a day for celebrating. Even after my father died in 2005, I still made an effort to make it special for Mom.

They were married June 9, 1945.

They raised our family to love and serve the Lord. Of course, we deviated from that for a while but each of my siblings and myself have a deep and personal relationship with Christ and that is largely in part to the prayers and values of my parents and my grandparents.

I remember my mother telling of times of family prayer each evening after dinner. Sometimes her grandparents would join them, and she said her grandfather could pray at great length, in his native tongue of Norwegian.

My grandparents were great prayer warriors. In her 60’s my grandmother would pray for hours each day. Each family member was mentioned by name – children, grandchildren, great grands and all their spouses. Add to that all the missionary families she knew around the world, as well as family friends.

When my grandmother died my mom took up her prayer mantle. It was not unusual to find Mom sitting in her recliner praying each day, reading her Bible and sharing her love for Jesus with those who dropped in for a visit. And now, she too, has passed from this earth to her home in heaven.

My grandfather was known by the nickname Preacher. He lived to tell people about Jesus. I never knew him, he died the day I was born but I know that he prayed for me throughout my mom’s pregnancy.

Dad loved the Lord and he loved singing. He gave me my love of music and I especially liked standing next to him in church and having our voices blend in song.

“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

Maybe you weren’t raised with the heritage that I was. However, you can leave a legacy of prayer and godliness for your children and grandchildren.

Last year at our 50th anniversary celebration our oldest granddaughter paid us the highest compliment. She told what it meant to her and the family that Dave and I have the relationship with Christ that we do and that they know we are always praying for them.

“You provide food for those you love. Their children have plenty, and their grandchildren
will have more than enough.” Psalm 17:14b CEV

The one thing the Lord reminds me often is that my children are His children and He loves them more than I ever could. I can trust Him to be their God and Father.

“Thank you Father for my heritage and the godly legacy that is mine. I desire to have this same impact in my family. In the precious name of Jesus, I praise You. Amen.”

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Designed With Purpose

I’ve been sitting here for quite some time talking with the Father. It’s premature to share what He is putting on my heart and what I am feeling led to do so, I have sat quietly in His presence, listening.

On the credenza in my living room is this little pot. I’m not sure of its age but it is primitive in making. The surface is rough, not glazed; the rim has a notch out of it, possibly from years of use. The bottom isn’t flat, so it leans to the side and the bottom is discolored from smoke. Not an attractive piece but usable.

I guess that’s how I’m feeling this morning. Not an attractive piece, not fine china or a crystal vase but usable.

“But, Lord, you are our father. We are like clay, and you are the potter. Your hands made us all.” Isaiah 64:8 ERV

God has a purpose for each of our lives, for our entire life. We are never too young, after all God used Samuel when he was just a boy and never too old, Noah was 600 when he built the ark.

We are never too rich – Solomon used his wealth to honor the Lord God and never too poor, the widow in the temple only had two mites (half pennies) to give to the Lord and he took note of it.

“…Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. 7 We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 CEV

We are just the vessel that God uses; it’s His power and glory that are seen through us. We simply need to be willing to be used.

Are you dealing with something today that you feel is just TOO big for you to handle? Good!

God isn’t looking at our ability; He’s asking for our availability!

“God, examine me and know my mind. Test me and know all my worries. 24 Make sure that I am not going the wrong way. Lead me on the path that has always been right.” Psalm 139:23-24 ERV

I would much rather be a clay pot that is used on a daily basis than a crystal vase that sits on the shelf and is rarely used.

Father, use us today in spite of our rough exterior and our bumps and smudges. You are deserving to receive all honor and glory and praise!

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