Category: Encouragement

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What’s the Plan?

It’s Monday. Here in America it’s a federal holiday, President’s Day. What are your plans for the day?

How far out do you plan your activities? Are you spontaneous or do you schedule everything?

Personally, I like to have things run smoothly but I like to do it with the least amount of planning as possible. I have friends who always ask the question, “What’s the plan or what’s on the schedule”. To them I answer nothing, let’s just go and see what happens.

You see we can have such a rigid plan or tight schedule that we overlook what the Lord has for us. The phrase stop and smell the roses isn’t Scripture but it is Biblical. We need to be open for the large and small interruptions in our plans so that we can see what “new” things the Lord has in store for us.

Jesus was always willing to be interrupted by people. I love the words “moved with compassion”. He had a plan but that plan was to touch the lives of those around Him.

“People might plan what they want to say, but it is the Lord who gives them the right words. 2 People think that whatever they do is right, but the Lord judges their reason for doing it. 3 Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:1-3 ERV

Trusting the Lord to direct our steps is never a waste of time. He has a plan for us and His plan is that we touch people’s lives. We need to be open to His direction and He will cause us to succeed.

Now by no means am I saying that we are to go through life haphazardly or without a plan or direction; only that we need to be willing to let the Lord interrupt what we have planned for a bigger purpose.

Verse 3 in the Amplified Bible has always been a favorite of mine:

“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.” AMP

Be open for a divine redirect.

“ The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord shows him what to do.” Proverbs 16:9 CEV

So, what are your plans for today? The journey of life is more interesting and certainly more enjoyable when we allow the Father to direct our path!

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Take A Walk

When you read the Bible, do you read it as if you are there? Do you take time to look around and see what was going on and how people are affected by the story that is being revealed?

Can you imagine what you would do if you were in their shoes? I am always amazed as I read the account of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, and then the first couple of verses of Matthew 8.

Here Jesus has been teaching all day. The hillside is covered with people, children are playing and adults are trying to hear what Jesus is saying. Jesus has positioned himself in such a way that his voice carries down the hillside, without the amplification that we have today.

“Blessed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted…You are a light on a hill, don’t hide under a bushel…Heaven and earth will pass away but my Word will never pass away…Forgive, be faithful to your mate, don’t seek revenge…Give to the poor, pray often, don’t make money your master…don’t worry…God knows what you need, seek Him first and everything else will be added…take care of the beam in your own eye before you try to remove a splinter from your brother’s…ask & it will be given, seek & find, knock & it will open…bear good fruit…build on a solid foundation (the Word) and you’ll make it through the storms…”

All day long Jesus preached, the multitude listened, now the teaching is over and Jesus heads down the hill with his followers. But this is where the story runs into a road block! A leper, who has obviously been waiting at the bottom of the hill, can’t contain himself. He comes running and puts himself right in front of Jesus.

Unclean, unclean!

I can see the shock and repulsion on the face of the people. This leper should not be in close contact with all of us good “clean” people.

Wow! Weren’t you just listening – about removing beams and judging not? But this leper had been listening. He heard Jesus say, “ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find”.

It seems all the others on the hillside had heard words, words, words. Amen. But this leper had heard a message that would change his life forever. It brought hope and faith so he came to ask and to receive. What would you have done if you were in his shoes?

“Jesus came down from the hill, and a large crowd followed him. 2 Then a man sick with leprosy came to him. The man bowed down before Jesus and said, “Lord, you have the power to heal me if you want.” 3 Jesus touched the man. He said, “I want to heal you. Be healed!” Immediately the man was healed from his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about what happened. But go and let the priest look at you. And offer the gift that Moses commanded for people who are made well. This will show everyone that you are healed” Matthew 8:1-4

He received!!!

He asked and he received. Jesus did tell him to go show himself to the priest and have them declare him clean. He needed that pronouncement according to Jewish law to be able to go back home and live among his family and friends again. And he needed to offer sacrifice.

All the people that heard Jesus preach on the hillside that day but only one came to Jesus to receive! I guess it amazes me because for many years I just heard words, words, words about Jesus; of the things He had done, the way He lived and I read the stories in the Old Testament and thought how neat that would have been. I did let it impact and change my life to a small degree but then the Holy Spirit became my teacher and started showing me that what happened in the Bible was available to me today.

My life has been forever changed and I can identify with that leper. I was unclean but one touch from Jesus has cleansed my life forever! To God be the Glory!

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Peace, Sweet Peace

So this morning I thought I would give you a visual example of love and peace. I took this several years ago at my Mom’s in Arizona. This one picture speaks volumes to me about God’s love.

I use it as a screen saver from time to time.

The birds who come to my wash each day are a continual reminder of God’s provision and His love.

The Holy Spirit is compared to a dove as He settled on Jesus, filling Him with heaven’s power.

“ Then John said, “I saw the Holy Spirit come down on Jesus as a dove from heaven. The Holy Spirit stayed on Him. 33 I did not know Him then. But God sent me to baptize with water. God said to me, ‘The Holy Spirit will come down and stay on Him. He is the One Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen. I am now saying that Jesus is the Son of God.” John 1:32-34 NLV

That’s power.

Jesus said this about birds.

“26 Look at the birds in the sky. They do not plant seeds. They do not gather grain. They do not put grain into a building to keep. Yet your Father in heaven feeds them! Are you not more important than the birds?… 31 Do not worry. Do not keep saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘What will we wear?’” Matthew 6:26-33 NLV

Do not worry! That’s love. God has told us to bring Him every care, every concern, every need. By coming to Him we find help! He is our source of supply – because He loves us!

“ And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NLV

Take this lesson from my little soft cooing friend – don’t toil, don’t worry, rest in God’s peace!

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Light In the Darkness

If you have been reading my blogs for any length of time you have probably read about our use of night lights.

No, we’re not afraid of the dark, we just don’t like stubbed and/or broken toes. This last weekend was no different.

Before bedtime in the Casita, Dave and I made sure there were night lights in strategic places. One near the coffee maker, so I could see to start the coffee in the early morning, one at the foot of the bed so we could avoid those stubbed toes and one in the bathroom, just because you always need a night light in the bathroom.

This morning, I wrote in my journal “Thank you Abba for always being here – my strength, my comfort, my wisdom, my joy. You are the light of my salvation, whom shall I fear”. Light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are!

“You, Lord, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears. 2 Brutal people may attack and try to kill me, but they will stumble. Fierce enemies may attack, but they will fall. 3 Armies may surround me, but I won’t be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you.” Psalm 27:1-3 CEV

For us, we needed light because we were in new surroundings. We didn’t know the lay of the room well enough to keep from bumping into things in the night. Silly as it sounds, we needed light.

Maybe you’re in new surroundings. A new job, new responsibilities, a new course in life. Uncharted territory, a place you have never been before. Empty nester, loss of a partner, the darkness of a new job and new co-workers. You need some light in the darkness.

“Our Lord and God, you are my lamp. You turn darkness to light.” II Samuel 22:29 CEV

“Everything that was created 4 received its life from him, and his life gave light to everyone.
5 The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out.” John 1:3-5 CEV

In God, through Jesus, we have light. Darkness – emotional, physical and spiritual darkness is dispelled by the light of God.

As I’m ready to close, the words from the song “Way Maker” are running through my mind.

“Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness, my God
That is who You are
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness, my God
That is who You are…

Even when I can’t see that You’re working
Even when I don’t feel that You’re working
You never stop
You never stop working
You never stop
You never stop working”

God, our Father, never stops working on our behalf. We might not see, we certainly might not feel it but He never has and never will stop working. He will always be our light in the darkness and we never need to be afraid!

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A Changed Mind

Having a changed mind, or a renewed, transformed mind, as the Apostle Paul says, is a two-sided coin.

We have to realize what God the Father says about us in His word and live that out each day, but we also have to realize that we have an enemy who tries to destroy what the Father desires to do.

We are the deciding factor.

Who do we agree with? If we side with the Father and believe His Word we will see the positive results that He intends for us. If we side with the enemy and agree with him, we will see results of destruction. God is greater than the devil and could just “force” us to believe the right, but He won’t.

God doesn’t want us to be mindless puppets. He wants us to be loving children who hear and obey His word. We have a free choice, even if that brings a negative influence into our lives.

I want to point out a few of the subtle and not so subtle mind games the devil likes to play. He uses the same old tricks he always has so they are pretty easy to spot and through our strength in Christ, easy to defeat.

“… He was always against the truth. There is no truth in him. He is like the lies he tells. Yes, the devil is a liar. He is the father of lies.” John 8:43-45 ERV

“…The snake spoke to the woman and said, “Woman, did God really tell you that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Genesis 3:1

“The devil came to tempt him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread.” Matthew 4:3 ERV

“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

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” Romans 8:1-2 KJV

Identify the words of the enemy; he comes to bring doubt, destruction, condemning and “if” thoughts. “You can’t do it; look at your past; God won’t use you; did God really say that; you’ll make a fool of yourself; “if” you try you’ll fail; are you really sure you’re saved and God will come to your rescue?” All of these and so many more are the tactics of the enemy.

The devil’s a liar but God cannot lie!

If the thoughts that come to your mind are any of the above, you know the devil is at work trying to dis-courage or destroy what God has promised. Condemnation doesn’t come from God. When we do things wrong, He will correct and instruct and even discipline us but it always comes in a loving, you-can-do-better type of way. He doesn’t ridicule or defame.

“[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),” II Corinthians 10:5 AMP

We are to take EVERY thought captive into obedience in Christ!

Don’t let thoughts that aren’t from God take residence in your mind, drive them out as Jesus did – IT is written, it IS written, IT IS WRITTEN!

God’s word creates a changed mind!

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Give Life

Knowing when to speak and when to keep silent is a hard thing to determine sometimes. Listening to the Holy Spirit will keep you on the right track. Just like Jacob from yesterday’s devotion who was tricked by Laban for 20 years, we will have folks who will use words and actions to come against us.

We must be careful to honor the Lord in whatever we say and do. Our words must be directed in love and not in retaliation. The book of James deals a lot with the tongue and how destructive it can be.

“We all make many mistakes. A person who never said anything wrong would be perfect. Someone like that would be able to control their whole body too. 3 We put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us. With these bits we can control their whole body. 4 It is the same with ships. A ship is very big, and it is pushed by strong winds. But a very small rudder controls that big ship. And the one who controls the rudder decides where the ship will go. It goes where he wants it to go. 5 It is the same with our tongue. It is a small part of the body, but it can boast about doing great things.

A big forest fire can be started with only a little flame. 6 The tongue is like a fire. It is a world of evil among the parts of our body. It spreads its evil through our whole body and starts a fire that influences all of life. It gets this fire from hell.

7 Humans have control over every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and fish, and they have controlled all these things. 8 But no one can control the tongue. It is wild and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people who were created in God’s likeness. 10 These praises and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen. 11 Do good water and bad water flow from the same spring? Of course not.” James 3:2-11

In chapter one of James we are told to be quick to hear, slow to anger and slow to speak. Control the tongue – our words. God created the worlds with His words – they are powerful! So, we need to emulate the Father and use our words wisely.

Finally, if we take instruction from King Solomon his words of wisdom will bring a good result in our lives.

“The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.” Proverbs 18:21 ERV

“A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow. Listening to wise people increases your knowledge, but only nonsense comes from the mouths of fools.3 The LORD sees what happens everywhere. He watches everyone, good and evil.4 Kind words are like a life-giving tree, but lying words will crush your spirit.” Proverbs 15:1-4 ERV

Be a giver of life.

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Forgiveness

Never underestimate the power of God’s forgiveness. Our heavenly Father sent His Son to be the pure, sacrificial lamb, who takes away the sin of the world.

When we sin, we all do, God opens His arms wide and offers us complete forgiveness.

“ But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.” I John 1:9 CEV

Christ died to cover our sins with His blood and restore us to right relationship with the Father.

“Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world’s people.” I John 2:2 CEV

Repentance isn’t only admitting that what we did was wrong, but it is also a conscious act of turning away from that sin. We run to Jesus and thank Him for His wonderful grace and mercy.

“If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won’t be punished. 2 The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death. 3 The Law of Moses cannot do this, because our selfish desires make the Law weak. But God set you free when he sent his own Son to be like us sinners and to be a sacrifice for our sin. God used Christ’s body to condemn sin.” Romans 8:1-3 CEV

God chooses to forgive and to forget our sins and failings. Then He washes our consciences clean.

“When the time comes, I will make an agreement with them. I will write my laws on their minds and hearts. 17 Then I will forget about their sins and no longer remember their evil deeds.” Hebrews 10:16-17 CEV

“ And we have a great priest who rules the house of God. 22 Sprinkled with the blood of Christ, our hearts have been made free from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. So come near to God with a sincere heart, full of confidence because of our faith in Christ.” Hebrews 10:21-22 ERV

God’s forgiveness doesn’t give us a license to sin. Far from it but it does give us a welcome mat when we come running to Him in repentance.

“ Don’t let sin keep ruling your lives. You are ruled by God’s undeserved grace and not by the Law. 15 What does all this mean? Does it mean we are free to sin, because we are ruled by God’s gift of undeserved grace and not by the Law? Certainly not!” Romans 6:14-15 CEV

God loves us. He forgives us and He cleanses us from our sins. AMEN!

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Gateway to Wisdom

The theme of our past several blogs is gaining wisdom. Wisdom is found in God’s word. When we stand on God’s word it’s a firm foundation keeping us secure in troubling and tumultuous seasons.

The best thing we can do is “I treasure your word above all else; it keeps me from sinning  against you.12 I praise you, Lord! Teach me your laws.” Psalm 119:11-12 CEV

When I start writing and can’t remember where to find a Scripture I just look it up. I either use my Strong’s concordance from the bookshelf or I use the Biblegateway app on my computer. But here’s the thing, if it isn’t in the concordance or if I hadn’t downloaded the app, I wouldn’t have it.

If we don’t put God’s word into our heart and mind, it becomes almost impossible to utilize it when we need it. Jesus was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to be tempted of the devil and when temptation came, He stood strong because He had already spent time putting the Word into His heart. When the temptation came, his heart took over and out came the Word! His eye was single – He had set His mind on things above.

“Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. 2 And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made [loaves of] bread. 4 But He replied, It has been written,” Matthew 4:1-4 AMP

About 15 years back I went out for an afternoon ride. The horse I was riding was a big old standard bred – he had been trained to pull our wagon but also to work cattle in the hills. We started out the side gate and had gotten up the first little rock basalt hill when he balked and hopped sideways. Little did I know but my cinch was faulty and off I came, saddle and all. As I hit the hard ground, the first words out of my mouth were “ ‘by His stripes I am healed’…I will have no broken bones. ‘He sent His word and healed them’ ‘He will protect me lest I dash my foot against a stone’”. With that I picked up my saddle and started walking back to the house. No broken bones, just a few sore spots for the next several days.

My point is this – we don’t know when we’ll need the Word of God but we WILL need it. Jesus taught that the Word would be a solid rock foundation for us when the storms of life come. We need to be standing on the rock – Knowing the latest sports stats, or Wall Street financials, or political talking points or quotes from the textbook aren’t going to provide the strength and answers we need when facing a crisis! There’s nothing wrong with that stuff but it shouldn’t be our foundation; if it is our house with fall.

But we have the God-given opportunity to read and know God’s word. We can put it to the test and find that He never fails. His word will stand true forever.

It’s only thing to look at a beautiful garden from pictures but it’s so much better to walk through the gate and enjoy the beauty personally. Walk through the gate of God’s word!

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HOW GREAT!

Very often, early in the mornings my heart fills with song. Sometimes it’s just a spontaneous outpouring of gratitude, at others it’s a prayer put to music. Then there are the occasions that the song comes as a result of something I’ve read in my Bible as I start the day.

“ Follow my example: Even the Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.”

46 Then they came to the town of Jericho. When Jesus left there with his followers, a large crowd was with them. A blind man named Bartimaeus (meaning “son of Timaeus”) was sitting by the road. He was always begging for money. 47 He heard that Jesus from Nazareth was walking by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, please help me!”

48 Many people criticized the blind man and told him to be quiet. But he shouted more and more, “Son of David, please help me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”

So they called the blind man and said, “You can be happy now. Stand up! Jesus is calling you.” 50 The blind man stood up quickly. He left his coat there and went to Jesus.

51 Jesus asked the man, “What do you want me to do for you?”

He answered, “Teacher, I want to see again.”

52 Jesus said, “Go. You are healed because you believed.” Immediately the man was able to see again. He followed Jesus down the road.” Mark 10:45-52 ERV

Immediately! he followed Jesus. I can’t help but believe that he followed praising God, singing, shouting, rejoicing in God’s goodness. How great You are Almighty God!

There have been many times I felt like the blind man. Circumstances beyond my control, financial hardship, chronic health issues, broken relationships and I couldn’t see. I couldn’t see how things would change.,,

and then I realized that Jesus was walking by – in fact, I realized that I wasn’t alone. He had promised to never leave me or abandon me. He had said, “Ask and it will be given” and “Call on me” and “Come to Me and I will give you rest”.

He never once turned me away when I called. He welcomed me with open arms. His word instructed me not to be afraid but to trust in the Lord.

Reading this man’s story my heart began to sing, “How great Thou art, How great Thou art!” https://youtu.be/a-m_6KN5ISA.

Maybe that’s what you need this morning.

Call out to Jesus – give Him your blindness to the answers that you are seeking. Tell Him you want to see, see how He is going to work in this situation and then follow Him as He leads the way.

Oh Lord, how great thou art!

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Wrapped in Kindness

Each morning when I come out to the living room my routine is the same. My coffee, my Bible, my journal and my blanket. Even in the middle of summer and yes, it always includes my blanket.

This is my comfort zone, my happy place, my quiet time when its just the Lord and I.

As I was finishing yesterday’s blog this phrase came to mind, wrapped in kindness. It stayed with me all day long and this morning it was still resounding in my heart. So much so, that I want to share a few thoughts and verses with you.

“God has been kind to you. He has been very patient, waiting for you to change. But you think nothing of his kindness. Maybe you don’t understand that God is kind to you so that you will decide to change your lives.” Romans 2:4 ERV

As a child, I never understood why preachers felt they needed to preach “hell fire and brimstone”. It was scary but it didn’t convey the heart of God.

We all know that we don’t measure up in our own efforts. That’s why God displays His kindness – kindness is revealed in His love, His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness and it’s those very things that bring us to a point where we want to change and dedicate our lives to Him.

“Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. ” Philippians 2:1 ERV

He gives us the courage, the power, the desire and the ability to walk in His love, to be free from fear.

“ The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7 ERV

God is patient and He is kind. He is love. “ Love is patient and kind.” I Corinthians 13:4 ERV

“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. 25-26  God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so by faith in him we could come to God.” Romans 3:22-25 CEV

He treats us so much better than what we deserve – that’s grace, that’s kindness on display.

I pray that you have accepted that gift and that each day you experience being wrapped in God’s kindness.

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