Category: Encouragement

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Search & Rescue

It seems that we are going on a search and rescue mission today.

“Everyone who saw this started grumbling, ‘This man Zacchaeus is a sinner! And Jesus is going home to eat with him.’…9 Jesus said to Zacchaeus, ‘Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham. 10  The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.’” Luke 19:7-10 CEV

Jesus’ mission while on earth was one that the Father had designed in heaven. God’s heart has always been to provide and care for those who seek Him.

This morning my Bible reading overlapped. What I read in the Old Testament, was the same message Jesus was teaching on the mountain. Follow along with me.

“You are merciful, Lord! You are kind and patient and always loving. 9 You are good to everyone, and you take care of all your creation…Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food.
16 By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live.” Psalm 145:8-16 CEV

This is who God is. He doesn’t change and He doesn’t lie. What He says is what He will do. These verses would have been read in the synagogue. The people He was talking to on the mountain had probably heard them many times.

These words had probably lost their meaning to many that were listening to Jesus that day. Religious tradition and opinions, along with life’s disappointments, had stolen the strength of God’s promises. But Jesus was there to restore their hope and faith in the Father.

“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks.

9 Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread? 10 Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish? 11 As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.” Matthew 7:7-11 CEV

Ask, Search, Knock. This is our instruction. Bring everything, every need, every desire, every worry and fear to the Father. ” your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.” or as it says in the Psalm, “By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live.”

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He was the Father’s hand extended from heaven, reaching out to rescue us, to lift us up when we fall and then to keep us in a place of safety.

“ God is strong and can 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 ERV

We’ve been rescued by our loving heavenly Father – we once were lost but now we’re found!

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Time for an “I” Exam

Just last week Dave went to the optometrist. He was able to pick up his new glasses on Friday. It’s interesting how just a little adjustment can make such a big difference in clearer vision.

Jesus is still teaching on the mountain and in today’s verses He’s called us all in for an “I” exam.

“ Don’t condemn others, and God won’t condemn you. 2  God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them.

3 You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye. 4 How can you say, “My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye,” when you don’t see the log in your own eye? 5 You’re nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye; then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 CEV

We have to remember that all of these verses from the last few days flow together from one teaching. Although little segments can be pulled out for study, they must stay in context with the whole message.

Jesus has already taught us on having a proper attitude, not being a showoff and being light and salt in a world that has spent so much time in darkness. He’s emphasized that we are to love as the Father loves. It only follows that He would instruct more thoroughly on how to treat and deal with others.

Don’t judge unless we would like to be judged. (I didn’t say it, Jesus did.)

Yikes, that one hits pretty close to home. I think we all can fall into that dangerous ditch of judging. That’s why we need to have our eyes examined. It’s easy to see the faults in others; sometimes we even magnify them, and then we overlook our own faults.

But Christ saw that we all need a Saviour.

“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:21 ERV

“Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you.” Romans 15:7 CEV

” But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 CEV

“ If you think you are better than others, when you really aren’t, you are wrong. 4 Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don’t compare yourself with others.” Galatians 6:3-4 CEV

“God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. 23 All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. 24 But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.” Romans 3:22-24 CEV

Now, don’t choke on your coffee when you read “He treats everyone alike”. God’s grace and mercy is extended to all of us. “God loved the WORLD, so He gave his only Son”.

We don’t have to agree with what everyone says or does. God forbid, because then we would be agreeing with sin and that’s what God has delivered us from.

But, we do need to see through His eyes and love the sinner as He did for us without judging and condemning them. In God’s eyes, sin is sin. No big, no little – just sin that stops us all from having a personal relationship with Him. All sin is forgivable and once forgiven gives us a relationship with the Father.

Let’s have the Father give us an “I” exam and fit us with proper lens so that we see the world through His eyes!

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Why Worry

Let me tell you about my morning.

I heard the coffeemaker beep that it was done; I was still in bed. I got up and came to the living room as is my custom, was going to pour a cup of coffee and have my prayer time. Instead, I laid down on the couch for a while longer – prayed and dozed off.

Now it’s over an hour later and I got up, grabbed my first cup of coffee and had a little twinge of guilt over resting so long. A little worried that the blog was getting out so late.

That’s when the Lord gently quieted my heart, and I read what I was intended to share with you. So here are Jesus’ words to all of us today.

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:25-34 MSG

Don’t worry. Don’t get worked up.

Our Father’s got this. Put Him in charge of everything that concerns us. He can handle it. Just look at the wildflowers and the birds – He takes care of them, and He’ll certainly take care of us!

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No Showoffs Please

First of all, this morning I would like to thank you for following the link and going directly to the website to read yesterday’s blog. I’m not sure if I will be able to post to Facebook again this morning but I’m hopeful.

However, if you are blessed by reading this each morning and want to receive it each day, uninterrupted, please go to the blog tab of the website, www.arizonakristi.com, and on the right side of the page fill in your email address and you will receive it each morning, just like the old-fashioned morning newspaper.

It somehow seemed appropriate that a morning teaching on not being irritated or short-tempered would be removed for whatever reason. It certainly gave me the opportunity to practice what I preach – I was able to stay calm, it didn’t spoil my morning.

Now, on to more of Jesus’ teachings from the mountain. He had just told us to love like His Father, our Father, in every situation.

“When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven.

2 When you give to the poor, don’t blow a loud horn. That’s what show-offs do in the synagogues and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward. 3 When you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know about it. 4 Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret and will reward you.

5  When you pray, don’t be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward. 6 When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private and will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-6 CEV

There was a problem in the Jewish synagogues with the religious leaders trying to call attention to themselves. They wanted everyone to see how long they prayed and how much money they gave. They sought to be the center of attention. They weren’t there to worship God but to draw attention to themselves.

We are often guilty of the same thing – telling people about the “good” we do to help others. Bringing attention to ourselves.

“As Jesus was teaching, he said: Guard against the teachers of the Law of Moses! They love to walk around in long robes and be greeted in the market. 39 They like the front seats in the synagogues and the best seats at banquets. 40 But they cheat widows out of their homes and pray long prayers just to show off. They will be punished most of all…42 Finally, a poor widow came up and put in two coins worth only a few pennies. 43 Jesus told his disciples to gather around him. Then he said: I tell you that this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 44 Everyone else gave what they didn’t need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had. Now she doesn’t have a cent to live on.” Mark 12:39-44 CEV

Jesus was not impressed with their piety; in fact, he faulted them for their hypocrisy. They had their reward.

God doesn’t need show-offs; His desire is that we show out His love and compassion.

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Irritated & Short-Tempered

Now, I know that doesn’t describe me or any of you reading this but, on the off chance that it should describe someone you live with or work with, I feel we all need this instruction that Jesus gave.

I’ll let you eaves drop on my conversation with the Lord.

“ You have heard people say, ‘Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.’ 44 But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45  Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. 46 If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for this? Even tax collectors love their friends. 47 If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about this? Don’t even unbelievers do that? 48  But you must always act like your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-48 CEV

What?

I must ALWAYS act like my Father in heaven?? Lord, you’ve got to be kidding. Do you see who/what I have to put up with? Surely, you don’t mean that I must be loving and patient with them.

What?

Oh, you mean them too? The ones who are so contrary and aggravating? Ok, I hear You – I’m supposed to be like my heavenly Father in every situation; that’s a big ask Lord. Oh, You weren’t asking; You were telling me that’s what I MUST do.

Well then, if that’s the case, I need Your strength and Your restraint. I need to see others as You do and treat them with the same patience and compassion that You show to me.

What was that Lord?

And not just my friends but my enemies as well. Ah, come on Lord, that’s more than I think I can handle.

“Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39  The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, ‘Love others as much as you love yourself.’ 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 CEV

Wow, Lord. That’s big.

“ Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. 32  Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.” Ephesians 4:31-32 CEV

Well, if that’s Your will for me then I know that You will give me the desire and the strength to do it. You were my example when You prayed: “not my will, but thine be done”. Thanks for loving me enough to die for me when I was at my worst. Now, I choose to live for You.

Good talk Lord. Good talk. Thanks!

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Changing Times

Last week I ordered some new calendar pages for my Day-Timer. Do you remember the helpful, organizational calendars called Day-Timer?

I like to see things written down in front of me. Not in my phone or on my laptop, I need something I can flip open and see the month, change things as needed, move them to another day if necessary. Yes, I guess I’m old fashioned.

Well, the pages came, and I spent a good portion of yesterday morning adding birthdays, anniversaries, doctor appointments, etc. Today I’ll enter work dates and activities. As I flipped the pages it made me realize how quickly time is passing.

Even my morning routine is changing. Dave and I have been walking in the cool mornings. However, for the last several mornings we’ve had to wait a bit: it’s been too dark. I lament because walking at 6 a.m. still gives me time to get home, eat a bite, shower and be to work on time.

Yes, time is changing.

It’s changing spiritually too.

“You can be certain that in the last days there will be some very hard times. 2 People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud, stuck-up, rude, and disobedient to their parents. They will also be ungrateful, godless, 3 heartless, and hateful. Their words will be cruel, and they will have no self-control or pity. These people will hate everything good. 4 They will be sneaky, reckless, and puffed up with pride. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. 5 Even though they will make a show of being religious, their religion won’t be real. Don’t have anything to do with such people.” II Timothy 3:1-5 CEV

Those of us who know Christ sense that His return is near.

“This same Jesus Who was taken from you into heaven will return in the same way you saw Him go up into heaven.” Acts 1:11b NLV

He promised when He left earth that he would come back again and take those of us who are alive to heaven with Him. That day is coming. When? We don’t know for certain, but we are told to watch the signs.

“When you hear about wars and riots, don’t be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but this isn’t the end. 10 Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.” Luke 21:9-11 CEV

Those are Jesus’ words. The message is not one of fear but one of hope.

” When these things begin to happen, stand up tall and don’t be afraid. Know that it is almost time for God to free you!” Luke 21:28 ERV

“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. 2 … I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.” John 14:1-3 CEV

There isn’t a date we can put on the calendar.

“ But no one knows the day or the hour. No! Not even the angels in heaven know. The Son does not know. Only the Father knows.” Matthew 24:36 NLV

The heart of every Christian should be excited. The times they are a changing and the Lord is coming soon!!

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Not Easily Broken

Those are the words I was given for today. However, the context they were applied to is a new concept for me.

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT

Most of the time this verse is taught on the message conveyed is one of friendship or marriage. Friend helping friend or husband, wife, and God forming a three-fold cord. I agree with both those teachings.

But this morning my thoughts went to I Corinthians 13.

” Love will never end. But all those gifts will come to an end—even the gift of prophecy, the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages, and the gift of knowledge. 9 These will all end because this knowledge and these prophecies we have are not complete. 10 But when perfection comes, the things that are not complete will end.

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, and I made plans like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways. 12 It is the same with us. Now we see God as if we are looking at a reflection in a mirror. But then, in the future, we will see him right before our eyes. Now I know only a part, but at that time I will know fully, as God has known me. 13 So these three things continue: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:8-13 ERV

The spiritual gifts we have been given will come to end one day. Their purpose will be complete. When we stand face to face with the Father there will no longer be any need for them because we will be complete in His presence.

Until then we need to continue to experience and share the gifts He has given us. These gifts aid us as we grow in our walk with Him from childhood to maturity. The more we learn of God the clearer we see Him and His wonderful love for us.

Three things should continually guide us in our walk; faith, hope and love.

In Christ we have hope, hope for a future and hope makes not ashamed. Then our faith gives life to what we hope for; faith gives hope substance. But without love faith doesn’t work.

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT

“ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NLT

“Hope never makes us ashamed because the love of God has come into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.” Romans 5:5 NLV

” I say this because our hope of being right with God comes through faith. And the Spirit helps us feel sure as we wait for that hope. 6 When someone belongs to Christ Jesus, it is not important if they are circumcised or not. The important thing is faith—the kind of faith that works through love.” Galatians 5:5-6 ERV

Father, I desire to see your love working in me today as I grow in you and to see your love working through me today so that others may see you more clearly. In Jesus name.

The strength we have for today can be found in the three-fold cord of faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love!

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In the Shadow

Do you ever have things come to mind that you just have to mull over for a while? Things you need to think on, to ponder. The Bible calls that meditating – that’s what I have been doing with the beginning verses in 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…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

Stay in the shadow – living in the desert, shadows are a good thing. It means that something is providing shade for our protection.

It became clear that God is asking us to stay under His shadow, in the shade of His protection. Look at all that happens when we stay in that place where we are close to God.

a. live under protection

b. be in a place of safety

c. kept secure night and day

d. no fear of disaster or disease

e. truly know God and His love for us

When we are in His shadow, we are under His protection. Even when there is a “shadow of death”, we can be free from fear. God is with us, and He casts a bigger shadow than death.

“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.” Psalm 23:4 NLV

When we stay close to the Father, we are always in the protection of His shadow.

“Your love is faithful, Lord, and even the clouds in the sky can depend on you. 6 Your decisions are always fair. They are firm like mountains, deep like the sea, and all people and animals are under your care. 7 Your love is a treasure, and everyone finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm36-5-7 CEV

What fears are holding you captive? The known and the unknown are no match for the protection of the Father. When fear comes and it will, put yourself under the shadow of the Almighty God and rest.

His protection casts a big shadow!

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Come & Sit

Do you know what I love about my mornings? It’s the quiet.

The only sounds I hear are the quiet hum of the air conditioning and the tick of the coffee maker. Other than that, it’s completely silent.

The first thing I do each morning is write my heart’s impressions in my journal, only a couple of sentences of gratitude and love. Then I say a short prayer for guidance before I open my Bible and begin to read. Many days during that writing and that prayer the Holy Spirit prompts me with what I should share with you, sometimes that comes once I begin reading.

This morning as I was writing, these four words were what I penned on the page. “Come sit with Me”. Oh, how I love that – time just sitting here, coffee cup in hand, when it’s just the Father and I. He bringing Scriptures to mind and flooding me with His presence.

Those of you who have read my writings for any length of time know that one of my most favorite old hymns is “In the Garden”.

  1. I come to the garden alone,
    While the dew is still on the roses,
    And the voice I hear falling on my ear
    The Son of God discloses.
    • Refrain:
      And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
      And He tells me I am His own;
      And the joy we share as we tarry there,
      None other has ever known.
  2. He speaks, and the sound of His voice
    Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
    And the melody that He gave to me
    Within my heart is ringing.

I know exactly what the writer of this hymn experienced.

“You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLV

Come, sit with me.

“Martha had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to all He said. 40 Martha was working hard getting the supper ready…42 Only a few things are important, even just one. Mary has chosen the good thing. It will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42 NLV

“Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread into pieces and gave them to his followers. He told them to give the bread to the people, and they did as he said. 7 The followers also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for the fish and told them to give the fish to the people.” Mark 8:6-7 ERV

Sitting with the Lord is a good thing!

Something to be chosen above all else. It’s a place of learning, of resting and refreshing. It’s a place of miracles.

Listen with your heart. When you hear the Lord say “Come sit with me”, take time to stop and enjoy His presence. It will fill you with joy!

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Organized & Peaceful

I woke up very early this morning; my mind was hurriedly making lists. For the next few weeks things are going to be quite busy for me and I want to make sure that I don’t forget anything. That’s why I have lists.

I got up, fully intending to come out to the living room and write a few things down, but instead, I picked up my Bible first and went to a few of my favorite passages on organization and peace.

There are some lessons the Lord teaches us and it’s to our benefit to revisit them often.

“ My son, don’t forget my teaching. Remember what I tell you to do. 2 What I teach will give you a good, long life, and all will go well for you. 3 Don’t ever let love and loyalty leave you. Tie them around your neck, and write them on your heart. 4 Then God will be pleased and think well of you and so will everyone else.

5 Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.” Proverbs 3:1-8 ERV

Solomon’s words for a long and healthy life are simple. Trust the Lord and not yourself, walk a road of love and loyalty, it will keep you on the right path all the days of your life.

Further along in this book is a verse that the Lord used in my life many, many years ago and has repeated it to me hundreds of times throughout my life.

“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 AMPC

This verse serves as my stress meter. Am I anxious? Am I frustrated? Am I stressing out over the details? If I answer yes, then I know that I have not rolled my works on the Lord and that I am trying to do them in my own effort and wisdom.

This morning, I wrote in my journal “Father, thank you for a peaceful heart and an organized mind”.

Did you know that Moses wrote one of the Psalms? This is his prayer for us.

“Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.” Psalm 90:12 CEV

Moses seems to be saying the same thing here that Solomon said. Trust the Lord and not our own wisdom.

I have one more verse to share with you.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV

You may have a long list of things to accomplish; there are unknowns and there is the temptation to worry and fret. I’d like to give you some Biblical advice, roll it all over on the Lord and let Him direct your path.

His way will give you a peaceful heart and an organized mind.

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