Category: Encouragement

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Time to Sing

Beautiful morning – the doves are cooing, finches are singing and the quail are talking. Perfect time for sipping my coffee and praising the God of all creation.

I’ve been asked a number of times how much time I spend reading God’s Word each day and my answer is the same. “Each day varies. I read until I hear God speak to me something that I can live by that day.”

Oh, I’ve had times when I’ve sat down and read chapter after chapter because it was on some Bible reading chart somewhere and then closed the book and gone my way completely unaffected because I couldn’t remember what I had read – just words on a page. And then there have been the times when I have read one or two verses and it has changed me completely. In those times, I know that God is speaking directly to me.

That’s why watching the birds and hearing them sing in the morning means so much to me.

“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? 27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the wildflowers in the field. See how they grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. 29 But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. 30 If God makes what grows in the field so beautiful, what do you think he will do for you? It’s just grass—one day it’s alive, and the next day someone throws it into a fire. But God cares enough to make it beautiful. Surely he will do much more for you. Your faith is so small!” Matthew 6:25-30 ERV

Reading the Bible is a two-way conversation between the Father and His child. Sometimes when we talk to our kids we know they haven’t heard a word we’ve said. It’s been good council, but they’ve been distracted or focused on other things and they just don’t listen.

Then there are those times when our kids ask our advice and are ready to listen. We can share life experience, memories and impart our knowledge to them. Those times are so sweet!

The same holds true for God and His word. The answer to every question is contained in this book and He’s waiting to share. That’s why these verses in Matthew are so important to me.

There have been times, more than I care to remember, when I worried over what we would eat and where we would have our family live but God in His faithfulness always provided! Sometimes the provision came from the generosity of friends, other times were almost miraculous.

God provides!

The birds singing each morning is a reminder to me of the Father’s faithfulness and love. I hope you have a song in your heart this morning – it’s time to sing!

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The Day Was Silent

If you had been a follower of Christ at the time of the crucifixion this day would have been silent.

There was no familiar greeting of friends, no smiles, possibly hugs and sobs and the questions – those haunting questions.

Could I have done something to stop the terrible beating and crucifixion? Are they coming for me next? I’ve spent the last three years following a man who is dead and gone? Where do I go, what do I do?

We know they weren’t prepared for the possibly of a resurrection. In fact, the women were preparing the spices which were a part of a proper burial. They had plans of going to the tomb the next morning.

These were apostles, disciples, family and friends in mourning. The day was silent!

But not so for the religious leaders who had been responsible for Jesus’ arrest, beating and crucifixion.

“The next day, the day after Jesus was killed, the head religious leaders and the proud religious law-keepers gathered together in front of Pilate. 63 They said, “Sir, we remember what that Man Who fooled people said when He was living, ‘After three days I am to rise from the dead.’ 64 Speak the word to have the grave watched for three days. Then His followers cannot come at night and take Him away and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ The last mistake would be worse than the first.” Matthew 27:62-64 NLV

In their fear, they sent soldiers to the tomb to seal it and guard it. At the tomb there was silence.

In hell there was a battle raging.

“When you were dead in your sins, you were not set free from the sinful things of the world. But God forgave your sins and gave you new life through Christ. 14 We had broken the Law many ways. Those sins were held against us by the Law. That Law had writings which said we were sinners. But now He has destroyed that writing by nailing it to the cross. 15 God took away the power of the leaders of this world and the powers of darkness. He showed them to the world. The battle was won over them through Christ.” Colossians 2:13-15 NLV

Christ fought to free us from the power of sin. He fought for our redemption. He defeated the powers of hell!

“The Law could not make me free from the power of sin and death. It was weak because it had to work with weak human beings. But God sent His own Son. He came to earth in a body of flesh which could be tempted to sin as we in our bodies can be. He gave Himself to take away sin. By doing that, He took away the power sin had over us.” Romans 8:3 NLV

In the silence of that day all hope seemed lost but in reality hope for the salvation of all the world was birthed.

The angels had heralded His birth. The silence reverenced His death.

Let’s take time today to be silent, not in fear, but in gratitude for our great gift of salvation.

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Stinkin’ Thinkin’

In my Bible reading yesterday morning I was reminded of a message I heard a cowboy preacher give years ago.

No More Stickin’ Thinkin’

“Look at those people! They say good is bad and bad is good. They think light is dark and dark is light. They think sour is sweet and sweet is sour. 21 They think they are so smart. They think they are very intelligent.” Isaiah 5:20-21 ERV

So many conflicts could be resolved if we took the time to consider what God considers right and wrong. His standard has never changed. All-to-often we become convinced that we are right and others are wrong putting them on the defensive and us on the attack.

It’s important to realize when we have made a mistake and apologize. First, repent to the Lord for not seeking His advice and/or not listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Then just as important it’s necessary to apologize to those around us, admitting fault and not offering excuses.

Then trust the Lord to heal and repair the situation.

I am so glad that the Lord doesn’t abandon me to my ignorance or disassociate with me because of my mistakes.

The world, our world, tries on a daily basis to skew our thoughts to a natural way of thinking. It tries to persuade us that right is wrong and wrong is right; that good is evil and evil is good. We are bombarded to “think for ourselves, don’t be brainwashed or old fashioned, the world is changing and we must be progressive”.

However, God’s word tells us that heaven and earth will pass away but God’s word will never pass away. We are told not to change God’s word and that when push comes to shove we “let God be true and every man a liar”.

Trusting God’s word is invaluable! Don’t be swayed to adopt other thinking.

“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. ” Proverbs 3:3-7 ERV

When I think of “stinkin thinkin” I think of the thief on the cross. Three men were crucified the day Jesus was. One of them tried to cast dispersions on Jesus – “what kind of Savior are you? You can’t even save yourself”. There was a jeering in his voice; he was defensive and condemning, his thinking was all wrong.

The second thief rebuked him for his words. He pointed out that they were guilty of their crimes but Jesus was guiltless. In all humility, he recognized his sin and failings and he repented. To that man Jesus granted forgiveness and compassion. “Today you will be with me in paradise”.

Each decision we make should be guided by love. When we hear that little inner voice saying “you really shouldn’t be doing that or saying that” we need to listen. Replace stinkin thinkin with compassionate contemplation.

What decisions do you need to make today? Trust the Lord not yourself; if you’re uncertain as what to do or say, seek the answer in God’s word. It will never steer you wrong.

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Troubled Times

You may think that I am going to share some rich insight this morning on the situations and circumstances that we are facing in our nation and our world today but that isn’t my focus.

Each generation and millennia have had their own share of crises, disasters and unrest.

Jesus lived in a troubled world. The governmental rule was anti-God. The Romans, who ruled over the nation of Israel, preached Caesar as god and his word as infallible. They were living in political slavery when Jesus was born.

I find it interesting that God the Father didn’t use Jesus to rescue the Jews from the Romans in a similar way that he used Moses to rescue the Jews from the Egyptians. Jesus didn’t come to save just one nation. He came to bring reconciliation, peace and freedom to all who would believe.

“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages. He taught in their synagogues and told people the Good News about God’s kingdom. He healed all kinds of diseases and sicknesses. 36 Jesus saw the many people and felt sorry for them because they were worried and helpless—like sheep without a shepherd to lead them. 37 Jesus said to his followers, ‘There is such a big harvest of people to bring in. But there are only a few workers to help harvest them. 38 God owns the harvest. Ask him to send more workers to help gather his harvest.’” Matthew 9:35 – 38 ERV

Jesus was about His Father’s business – a worldwide harvest.

But the corruption of the government was always on Jesus disciples’ minds. They heard Jesus preach; they saw the miracles. In fact, they did miracles themselves but still they wondered when Jesus would take control and change things. Here are Jesus’ last words to his disciples.

“While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, ‘Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?’ 7Jesus said to them, ‘You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.'” Acts 1:6-8 ERV

Today, many are asking the same thing. When Lord are you going to do something about political unrest and corruption? Things are not good that is for certain.

Jesus’ answer to us is the same one He gave the disciples. Don’t worry about the political situation and those in power. Leave that up to the Father. Instead, take the message of my salvation to those in your world.

“God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19  This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls.” Hebrews 6:18-19 CEV

In troubled times we can run to the Father, we can put our hope in Him.

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Left But Not Alone

Just a few days back I shared with you the story of Hannah. She was the one who was unable to have a child. Her heart was broken, and she cried out to the Lord. He granted her request and she was blessed with a son. A son named Samuel.

Now, let me relay the rest of the story.

When Samuel was weaned his mother and father brought him to the tabernacle to live with Eli the old priest. You see, his mother had promised God that she would dedicate her son to the Lord’s work. God kept His promise and Hannah kept hers.

“She said to him, ‘Pardon me, sir. I am the same woman who stood near you praying to the Lord. I promise that I am telling the truth. 27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord answered my prayer. He gave me this child. 28 And now I give this child to the Lord. He will serve the Lord all his life.’ Then Hannah left the boy there and worshiped the Lord.” I Samuel 1:26-28 ERV

The story of Hannah and Samuel isn’t just a fable that makes a good read. It is the true story of a loving mother and godly woman. Imagine how she must have wrestled with her emotions as she made the decision to give Samuel to Eli and leave him there.

Do you remember a time when you had to leave your child somewhere and it made your heart ache? Maybe it was the first day of kindergarten, maybe it was college or boot camp, it could have been at the door to the operating room in the hospital.

A sinking feeling for sure. Even now those times bring tears to your eyes and an ache to your heart.

Now imagine if you will another parent who was willing to give up their child. This time, however, the child was given as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

“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

Hannah gave her son to a loving God but God gave His Son to an unloving world. Hannah knew her son would be well cared for, God knew His Son would be hated and abused.

It’s important that we realize the great sacrifice that our heavenly Father made in giving His Son! We can’t take it lightly. He gave so that we can have life eternal.

He gave because of His great love for us!

“Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. 8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:6-8 ERV

Samuel was left in the loving care of Eli. Christ died for us, rose and ascended into heaven where He is preparing a place for us. But He left us with the Holy Spirit who provides us with strength, comfort and love while we await Christ’s return.

We are left in this world for the time being, but we are never alone!

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Overwhelmed…Again

Last night as I was getting ready to curl up for the night I felt overwhelmed!

Why? I can’t be certain. There were situations, beyond my control, that had been weighing on my heart. I had been in an attitude of prayer most of the day.

I knew I couldn’t go to sleep with the heaviness so I did what I told all of you to do, I took a break – a praise break!

“O God, listen to my cry!  Hear my prayer! 2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help
 when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,3  for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.” Psalm 61:1-3 NLT

I began to praise God for always being there – for being my rock, my strength, my shelter, my place of rest. It was a break worth taking!

I remembered, almost twenty years ago, I was listening to a Bill Gaither special on television and they sang this song:

“Why don’t you lead me to that Rock that is higher than I
Oh lead me, yes Lord lead me
Why don’t you lead me to that Rock that is higher than I
Thou hast been a shelter for me”

I needed this reminder that God has always been there for me and He always will be.

Have you ever come face to face with your failures and inadequacies? Have there been times you felt your strength wane? The devil likes to take times like these to flaunt our failures and our sins.

Overwhelmed?

God has the answer:

“Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! 2 Please listen and answer me,
 for I am overwhelmed by my troubles…4 My heart pounds in my chest…16 But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. 17 Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. 18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe…22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55 NLT

Take a break – morning, noon or night – a praise break. Our Father has promised never to leave us or abandon us.

“…for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13:5 AMP

“ He carried our sins in His own body when He died on a cross. In doing this, we may be dead to sin and alive to all that is right and good. His wounds have healed you! 25 You were like lost sheep. But now you have come back to Him Who is your Shepherd and the One Who cares for your soul.” I Peter 2:24-25 NLV

Overwhelmed? by sickness or disease, by financial circumstance, by old age and weakness, by lack of qualifications or education

Whatever it is you feel is holding you back, God is greater than the circumstances. You aren’t alone! He promises to be your strength, your high tower. Take a break and give Him those overwhelming cares.

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Cup of Cold Water

Today I want to talk to you a bit about little kindnesses. In the Bible we see time and again where the Scriptures say “He was moved with compassion” or “His loving kindness”.

Loving-kindness can be when the waitress brings you the wrong meal and you don’t go off on her but you are kind in your words and sincere in your appreciation for her hard work.

Loving-kindness is when you show patience at the grocery store with the young man or woman bagging your order isn’t as efficient or speedy as you would like them to be. Or when you child hasn’t cleaned up the yard or taken out the trash like you told them to do and you find out that they were wounded by a friend or embarrassed by a teacher and they were just to distracted to get it done. So you help them finish the chore.

All of these are practical examples of loving kindness. I like doing little acts of kindness. For the most part all it costs is time but it means the world to the person receiving the help.

Jesus called it giving cups of cold water!

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me also welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who welcomes a prophet, just because that person is a prophet, will be given the same reward as a prophet. Anyone who welcomes a good person, just because that person is good, will be given the same reward as a good person. 42 And anyone who gives one of my most humble followers a cup of cool water, just because that person is my follower, will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:40-42 CEV

Now I know some will look at these verses and focus on the reward but I really think what Jesus is trying to get us to see is that nothing, not matter how small, goes unnoticed to the Father. When we are reaching out in love; extending loving-kindness to those around us is an example of the Christ that lives in us.

About ten years ago I spent a few days in the hospital and when I came home I wasn’t able to do much for a week or so. Some sweet ladies brought me cups of cool water. One neighbor came over each morning to take our dog for a walk and she did my ironing. Another neighbor cook enough extra each night for Dave to enjoy a nice dinner and she did my laundry. These acts of love were priceless and the thought of them still brings a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat. Just this week Dave had outpatient surgery and friends brought lunch to us the next day.

Cups of cool water.

I ask the Father to make me more aware of those that are in need. I want the world to see my Father’s love in me.

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And the Peace of God…

…will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

There’s a lot going on today and I woke this morning with a start. After I said my good mornings to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I sat quietly gathering my thoughts and letting the Holy Spirit remind me of His presence and the Father’s faithfulness.

Oh yes, today is a day to focus on the goodness of God in every situation.

“Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy! 5 Let all people see how gentle you are. The Lord is coming again soon. 6 Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. 7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things.” Philippians 4:4-8 NLV

I will “camp” here today. Yesterday I was talking with a friend and I told her sometimes the Lord just brings a Scripture to mind and I know it’s what I’m supposed to be focused on. God is using it to make an impact in my heart. I call it camping on a verse.

You all know Dave and I love to camp. The big challenge is finding a camping spot that’s right. Right means level, not too rocky, some shade but also some direct sun. It’s finding a spot with a beautiful view and peaceful surroundings. That’s what these verses have become to my soul.

Yes, I’ll camp right here – here where I give thanks, here where peace fills my heart and mind. Here where I am reminded that God is trustworthy, His word is true, His ways are right. Here I can be aware of the Father’s love. These are the good things I will think about today.

Let the truth of God’s word bring peace to your heart!

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Memory Lessons

Have you ever wondered why we take photographs and write journals? It’s to help us remember – capturing imaging and putting down our thoughts reemphasizes special times and lessons learned.

Really, that’s what the Bible is; history of God’s goodness, provision, protection and love.

This morning my prayer time started as if always does, thanking the Father for His goodness, mercy and grace. Seeking his direction and trusting Him for wisdom. Then I picked up my Bible and began to read. I read systematically through the Psalms and this morning I came to Psalm 143; I remember the first time I read it seeking direction.

We had just started the cowboy ministry and we were needing direction of what ranches and rodeos to attend, we needed to make good use of our limited resources. We needed to make the right choices and also needed to avoid any wasted time or finances.

“ Hear my prayer, O Lord. Listen when I ask for help. Answer me because You are faithful and right…5 I remember the days long ago. I think about all You have done. I think about the work of Your hands. 6 I put out my hands to You. My soul is thirsty for You like a dry land.

7 Hurry to answer me, O Lord! My spirit is becoming weak! Do not hide Your face from me, or I will become like those who go down to the grave. 8 Let me hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for I trust in You. Teach me the way I should go for I lift up my soul to You. 9 O Lord, take me away from those who hate me. I run to You to be safe.

10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Let Your good Spirit lead me on a straight path. 11 Give me new life, O Lord, because of Your name. Bring me out of trouble because You are right and good. 12 In Your loving-kindness cut off those who hate me. Destroy all those who make it hard for my soul, for I am Your servant.” Psalm 143 NLV

Each day we have decisions to make, each day we should be remembering all that the Lord has done for us and follow His lead. He will teach us the way to go when we lift our hearts to Him.

“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

I remember those early days of seeking direction and wisdom. I remember the peace that God would bring when we made the right decisions, I also remember the times of turmoil in my soul when I got off course.

Memory Lessons provide us with instruction and guidance. May I encourage you to sit a while with your memories today. Let the Lord use the past to give you direction for today.

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Spring Training

Right now, Arizona is filled with professional baseball teams. It’s Spring Training!

On any given day baseball fans can go to a number of stadiums and watch the workouts and exhibition games. The teams’ coaches are watching carefully – they will make notes, instruct and critique each players abilities and when Spring Training is over some players will go home, they’ll be cut from the roster.

I remember when I was a kid, I would often be the last one picked for the backyard softball team. I wasn’t very good. I was uncoordinated and couldn’t throw well and my batting skills were less than stellar.

Even now I wouldn’t be chosen for my sense of fashion, education, exceptional good looks, financial status or my athletic abilities. Does that hurt my feelings like it used to? No.

You see I realize that I have been chosen for a team and it’s not because of my talents or abilities but it’s because of the Captain’s amazing love and acceptance.

If you’re feeling left out today, unaccepted, untalented, or lacking, focus on this:

“But you are his chosen people, the King’s priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God. He chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. He brought you out of the darkness of sin into his wonderful light. 10 In the past you were not a special people, but now you are God’s people. Once you had not received mercy, but now God has given you his mercy.” I Peter 2:9-10 ERV

“Just as I swore in the time of Noah that I would never again let a flood cover the earth,
so now I swear that I will never again be angry and punish you. 10 For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,’ says the Lord, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:9-10 NLT

“God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. 6 God was very kind to us because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God. 7-8 Christ sacrificed his life’s blood to set us free, which means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because God was so kind to us. God has great wisdom and understanding, 9 and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways.” Ephesians 1:5-9 CEV

“I am the Lord your God. I am holding your hand, so don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Isaiah 41:13 CEV

“I am with you, and I will protect you everywhere you go. I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised.” Genesis 28:15 ERV

I can hear Jesus speaking these words of acceptance and encouragement. He’s written my name and yours on the roster.

It’s time to swing for the fences because we’ve been chosen by God Almighty!

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