Category: Encouragement

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Point of View

Yesterday morning I rose about my normal time and as I sat here in my chair I was lamenting, a bit, our departure from the mountain.

We had gotten enough unpacked and put in place that we were able to rest well but there was, and is, still much to do to feel settled. Dave and I were having coffee and talking about the day’s activities – quite a list – and we both mentioned what we thought was being done on the mountain.

It was then Dave said, “Kris, grab your camera. You don’t want to miss this sunrise!” He was right.

From where I was sitting, I would have missed it. I had the wrong point of view.

Isn’t that the way things are in life? We can be looking at things from one perspective but if we were just willing to get up and move, we’d get a different angle with a wonderous outlook.

Reminds me of a story. (Luke 7:36-50)

Jesus was invited to dinner at the home of a religious leader named Simon. A woman who had not been invited came in also. She went to where Jesus was seated and began washing His feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair. Then she poured expensive perfume on them and kissed them.

Simon was outraged. This was a woman of low repute. She was causing a scene. How dare she interrupt his time with Jesus and why didn’t Jesus stop her, didn’t he realize what kind of a woman she was?

Without Simon saying anything out loud, Jesus knew his thoughts and addressed them. He told Simon a story about two people who had been forgiven a debt, one owed a great deal and the other a small amount.

Jesus asked Simon this question, “who do you think was the most grateful?”. Simon answered I suppose the one who was forgiven the most. Jesus told Simon he was correct. And then He went on to vindicate the woman.

He pointed out to Simon that Simon had neglected to show Him the common courtesy due a guest. Simon hadn’t offered to have a servant wash His feet upon arrival, but this woman had washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair, which was her crowning glory. Simon hadn’t greeted him with the customary kiss, but this woman kissed His feet.

Simon saw a harlot of low reputation, someone with no value. Jesus saw a woman who needed to be forgiven.

From Simon’s perspective, he didn’t need forgiveness. He was a good man. From Jesus’ viewpoint He saw a man and a woman who both needed forgiveness. One was grateful and loving, the other was stubborn and callous.

“So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love.” Luke 7:47 CEV

Enjoying the beauty of a sunrise is nice but viewing people from a heart of love is better. I hope that I will always see things from God’s point of view.

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Heading Home

Yesterday was that day. We left the mountain at 9 a.m. and we’re back in the Valley shortly after 1 p.m. It felt strange to say we were heading home. To us, we’re always home.

This last year, since we have been fulltime RV living, home has always been with us. Our earthly home that is. When we left the mountain it was 37* and when we arrived in the valley it was 91*. For the last several weeks, we had been wearing long sleeves and jackets, running the heater at night and sleeping under blankets.

Yesterday, we were using fans (the a/c for a little bit), wearing short sleeves, and sweating as we set up. But we were always home.

I remember when my Mom was in her final year of life she talked about heaven alot. At one point we had a long discussion. She recalled everything she had read in the Bible; no more tears, no sickness, no pain. Streets of gold, pearl gates. Seeing Jesus, being in the presence of God the Father.

She would be home.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:1-3 NLT

“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home”. Amazing!

For all the millions of people who have accepted Christ as their Savior through the ages, there is enough room.

The Father has a purpose and a plan for each one of us in this life on earth but this really isn’t home.

“By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God.” Hebrews 11:9-10 MSG

Abraham’s purpose was to believe God’s promise and be the father of a nation of people who would honor God. But in all of that he was still looking for the eternal city, his heavenly home.

The Apostle Paul says we are ambassadors for God. An ambassador is someone who leaves their home country and travels, with a mission, to another land. Once their work is through, they come home.

“ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” II Corinthians 5:19-20 NLT

May we always live with our sense of purpose and look forward to heading home!

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All, Inclusive

This morning a phrase kept going through my head, it’s something I heard a preacher say long ago. That phrase is “when we come to Christ, we are complete, nothing missing, nothing broken”.

I don’t think there’s a person alive who at one time or another hasn’t felt alone, left out. When we were kids, someone was always the last to be chosen for the team, the last to be asked to participate, or the one who was never invited.

Christ came to change all that. He came to see that we are all included in the Father’s invitation of love.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some consider slowness. Rather, He is being patient toward you—not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 TLV

Peter knew firsthand about the Father’s all-inclusive love. He had denied Christ three times on the night of His trial, but the Lord showed him forgiveness and restoration. Peter experienced the Lord’s loving kindness.

“ But God is rich in mercy, and he loved us very much. 5 We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against him. But he gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.) 6 Yes, it is because we are a part of Christ Jesus that God raised us from death and seated us together with him in the heavenly places. 7 God did this so that his kindness to us who belong to Christ Jesus would clearly show for all time to come the amazing richness of his grace.” Ephesians 2:4-7 ERV

The love of God isn’t conditional, it extends for all time to show His amazing grace. God’s provision of grace, receiving something we don’t deserve, is for all who believe.

“God makes people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. He does this for all who believe in Christ. Everyone is the same. 23 All have sinned and are not good enough to share God’s divine greatness. 24 They are made right with God by his grace. This is a free gift. They are made right with God by being made free from sin through Jesus Christ.” Romans 3:22-24 ERV

We all are made right with God by his grace. It’s a free gift.

“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.” II Corinthians 5:17-18 CEV

All who come to Christ are given new life, no one is left to sit on the sidelines waiting to be chosen. The Father has made a way for all of us to have new life.

“Jesus is the way our sins are taken away. And he is the way all people can have their sins taken away too.” I John 2:2 ERV

God’s plan for relationship with mankind isn’t based on our merit. His love is for all!

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Back In the Box

This past week Dave and I have been packing things up and getting ready to head back to the Valley. Our biggest struggle has been trying to get things back in their original boxes.

No, we don’t have a cat and if we did we wouldn’t put them in a box but we did have canvas tarps and poles for our garage and also the awning and stakes for our canopy. Dave kept saying, “how did they get all this in the box”.

After what seemed to be hours of struggling with folding and refolding, packing and unpacking and packing again, we were tired. At one point I said to him, “no more today, it can wait till tomorrow”. I went in and he kept working.

This may all seem silly to you but each of us face daily struggles. How do we keep everything in order? How do we get all our “junk” back in the box?

“He said, “This is the message from the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Your help will not come from your own strength and power. No, your help will come from my Spirit.’ This is what the Lord All-Powerful says.” Zechariah 4:6

When we have Christ in our life we never have to draw on our own strength. We have his promise that He will provide the strength that we need.

Some things become easier with age. We have the experience to be more relaxed in different situations. Things don’t seem as stressful because we’ve walked this ground before and know that eventually everything will work out. Or at least that’s how it seems.

However, with age some things can seem more difficult. The physical things that we once had the power to handle when we were younger not can be tiring and frustrating.

“I love you, Lord! You are my strength. 2 The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place high in the hills. 3 I called to the Lord for help, and he saved me from my enemies! He is worthy of my praise!” Psalm 18:1-3 ERV

The Lord never intended for us to do things on our own. He came to walk and talk with Adam and Eve each evening. He talked with Abraham, friend to friend. The Lord visited with Moses and gave him direction. He gave David strength to defeat a giant and was there when Daniel needed Him in the lion’s den.

Jesus talked with the Father continually and obtained the strength He needed for each day. The Apostle Paul made this statement to the churches in a letter written as a prisoner in Rome.

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

What is it that takes your strength? Packing up to go home, an illness, an obnoxious co-worker, financial stress? In each and every situation the Father promises to be our help and provide our strength.

Trust Him. He knows how to put everything back in the box.

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Can You Hear It?

Each morning as I sit in the quiet I hear it. Sometimes it’s as soft as a lullaby and at other times it comes booming through my soul with the passion of an aria.

What do I hear you ask? I hear my Father singing – yes, singing and He’s singing over me!

“ On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not be afraid, O Zion. Do not let your hands lose their strength. 17 The Lord your God is with you, a Powerful One Who wins the battle. He will have much joy over you. With His love He will give you new life. He will have joy over you with loud singing. 18 I will gather those who have sorrow for the special days, and take away their shame. 19 At that time I will punish all those who made it hard for you. I will save those who cannot walk and gather those who have been driven away. And I will turn their shame into praise. They will be known all over the earth.” Zephaniah 3:16-19 NLV

I can’t even begin to count the number of days that I share with you Scriptures where the Father instructs us not to be afraid, but here I am this morning with another one.

These verses are an encouragement to the nation of Israel but they are also offered to us. Don’t be afraid, don’t lose strength, I am with you. I take joy in you, I give you new life and I am singing over you with great joy…

Wow, what an amazing word picture. The Father is singing over us with great joy!

I remember the morning of my wedding. My brother was home to join the celebration. He was in our parents’ guest bathroom shaving and he was singing at Charlie Pride song, “Kiss an Angel Good Morning”. As I walked by, he leaned his head out the door and kissed me on the cheek.

It was one of the wonderful brother/sister moments. He was singing over me. So sweet.

That was a one-time event but the singing I hear in my heart that comes from my Father is almost a daily event. I sit quietly and I can hear His voice.

One hymn that I love to sing, and it always fills my eyes with tears, is “In the Garden”. The chorus goes like this:

“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”

Whatever your day has in store, slow down and listen. Listen with your heart. You will hear the Father singing over you. It will be a song of love.

Enjoy His presence!

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Hold My Hand

Several years back, before we became camp hosts, Dave and I would come to Rainbow Campground for our own camping getaway.

Four years ago, our oldest daughter, son-in-law and grandson joined us for a weekend. Our grandson came with his Auntitee and Unc on his first big camping trip. There were all sorts of exciting times; smores, fishing, making nature crafts and walking a downed tree.

When we stood him up on the log for the first time he was scared. We showed him how to keep his balance, but his first steps were timid and apprehensive. “Hold my hand, I don’t want to fall”. We held his hand for that first stroll.

Then, with a little more confidence, he took the second walk. This time Pappy and Unc only needed to be close -” close enough to catch me if I fall”.

Have you ever been like my little grandson? Afraid that you might fall?

“You trust in the Lord for protection. You have made God Most High your place of safety.
10 So nothing bad will happen to you. No diseases will come near your home. 11 He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 Their hands will catch you so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.” Psalm 91:9-12 ERV

The Father doesn’t scold us when we’re afraid. He speaks to us with reassuring words, building our confidence in Him.

“…’Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. 2 When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God… 4 You are precious to me, and I have given you a special place of honor. I love you.'” Isaiah 43:1-14 ERV

Don’t be afraid. You are precious to me, I love you!

Although these words were written thousands of years ago, they are filled with truth for us. Over and over again throughout Scripture God speaks the words “Don’t be afraid”. He is our loving Father who walks with us constantly, is willing to hold our hand, and to carry us through the worst circumstances. And then He rejoices with us in our victories.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
4 Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT

The longer I walk in relationship with the Lord, the more I trust Him. He is always faithful.

It’s often I hear the Father say:  Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.” Isaiah 41:10 NLV

Sam had such a huge smile on his face when he realized he had nothing to fear because his Pappy and his uncle were there to protect him. I have the same kind of smile when I hear my Father say, “Don’t fear, I’m with you”.

Thank you, Father, for holding my hand.

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Amazing Love!

I really can’t remember how many years I have been rising early and spending time with the Father.

I do remember what the days were like when I was trying to do it all on my own. I remember the frustration, the anxiousness and the feelings of inadequacy. I still have days of frustration and some days of worry but now, in the quiet morning hours the Father ministers to my heart and my soul, erasing those moments of inadequacy – He is always there to remind me that I am not alone, I don’t have to struggle under my own lack of understanding and strength. I can depend totally on Him to be all I need.

His unconditional love amazes me!

This morning’s thoughts about abandonment. Not ours but Jesus’.

“At noon the whole country became dark. The darkness continued for three hours. 46 About three o’clock Jesus cried out loudly, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why have you left me alone?” Matthew 27:45-46 ERV

Jesus spent his entire earthly stay communicating with the Father, doing the Father’s will and bringing glory to His Father. Now in the darkness Jesus knew that He had been forsaken and left alone! Jesus’ heart broke.

God the Father had to turn His attention away from Jesus, his beloved Son, to us so that Jesus could bear the penalty for our sin on the cross. At that time the Father put us and our relationship ahead of His love for Jesus. We became His primary focus.

“But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:8 ERV

“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:20 ERV

The experience of that separation from the Father was almost unbearable to Jesus. The times of communion with the Father were interrupted. He was on the cross, alone. This is why my quiet time brings me such comfort and strength. Never once have I been abandoned by the Father. His love is the light in my darkness.

It doesn’t matter if “quiet time” comes first thing in the morning, midday or later at night. The important thing is to make time. Remember what it cost for you to have this wonderful privilege of coming into the Father’s presence. Don’t take it for granted.

How amazing is His love. Because of it this relationship is available to all, to whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!

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The Changing Lane

Last night we had a “good-bye” dinner for some of our host friends who will be leaving the mountain the end of this week. Things are beginning to change.

Each day we become more visually aware that Autumn is here and our mountain life is changing. I feel blessed that we are here to see God’s design of changing seasons but the goodbyes do tug at my heart.

“And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day. 14 Then God said, ‘Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. 15 Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.’ And that is what happened.” Genesis 1:13-15 NLT

From the beginning the change of seasons was in His plan. It was established by His word and it has not changed. The Father’s faithfulness is unchanging.

“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9 NLT

Faithful and unfailing.

The question that came to mind the other day as I was driving up the lane to our campground was how many times have these trees’ leaves changed? Season after season, year after year, they from green to yellow and gold and then they fall to the ground, only to bud again in the Spring. They are a part of God’s plan and design. It was spoken at the beginning of time and the life of each subsequent generation of trees follows suit.

Why? Because God’s word established it. Established it in the same way that He established his love and faithfulness.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.” Hebrews 13:8-9 NLT

Jesus is always the same. Period. He does not change, season after season, year after year He remains the same. He is our example of the Father’s unfailing love, mercy and grace. His eternal purpose is to bring us into relationship with the Father. Our strength comes from God’s grace.

Our lane changes from green to gold. Some trees die and then new saplings sprout. One day it will all be gone but we have God’s promise that his word will never pass away.

“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” Matthew 24:35 NLT

When we put our faith and trust in Him, we have the promise of eternal life; a life in heaven surrounded by beauty, in the presence of God, Himself!

If you have trouble with change, put your hope in the One who never changes and whose Word will last forever.

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Never Gonna Let Me Down

This morning started with me writing notes of encouragement to a couple of friends who are going through some health crises. I received emails from them both yesterday and I could read the discouragement in their words.

You may be facing reports that are less than you had hoped for too. This morning I want to encourage you with a few of my favorite Scriptures. I know I’ve shared them before but we never read a verse just once and apply it to our lives and never need to read the verse again.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing, and hearing the Word of God.

These verses have really helped me and I hope that there are one or two that provide what you need!

HE WILL NEVER LEAVE ME OR LET ME DOWN!

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” Hebrews 13:5 AMP

WHEN CHRIST RULES, PEACE REIGNS

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” Colossians 3:15 AMP

HE CARES FOR ME

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” I Peter 5:7 AMP

I HAVE AN OVERFLOWING LIFE

“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

MOSES AND I HAVE THE SAME GOD, THE GREAT I AM!

24 Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I Am]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.” John 16:24 AMP

MY FATHER’S WORD GIVES ME CONFIDENCE

“ And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” I John 5:14-15 NLT

GOD CANNOT LIE

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT

As I was re-reading these verses this morning, my heart was greatly encouraged. God is ALWAYS faithful to His word. He will never let us down, we will never be abandoned!

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Hungry?

The last few days photos of our youngest grandson have been showing up on my memory pages. He just celebrated his 7th birthday and it’s been fun to look back at his first few weeks of life.

I love babies!!

They are so pure and so hungry. They eat all the time and make no apology for it. They have a God-given instinct to know that they must eat, and they let the world know it. Their feedings take priority.

“Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved. 3 You have already found out how good the Lord really is.” I Peter 2:2-3 CEV

Yes, we need to be like babies – sincere, innocent, with an overwhelming desire to grow – to drink spiritual milk (the Word) and learn of the Lord’s goodness.

As we feast on milk we grow and come to a point where we are mature enough to enjoy solid food, as the writer of Hebrews put it. Growing is natural, it’s good, it is proof that we are healthy and strong.

“People who live on milk are like babies who don’t really know what is right. 14 Solid food is for mature people who have been trained to know right from wrong.” Hebrews 5:13-14 CEV

Sometimes babies, and adults, just need a drink of water and not milk. It keeps us hydrated and all our organs functioning well.

We also need to come for the living water that only Christ can give.

“Jesus answered, ‘You don’t know what God can give you. And you don’t know who I am, the one who asked you for a drink. If you knew, you would have asked me, and I would have given you living water.’

11 The woman said, ‘Sir, where will you get that living water?…

13 Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.’

15 The woman said to Jesus, ‘Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.’” John 4:10-15 ERV

Water and milk are both a necessity of life. When babies need to eat, they cry out. They really have no other way to signal that they are hungry.

When was the last time we cried because we were hungry for the sincere milk of God’s word or the living water that only He can give? Jesus made us all a promise.

“Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry. He who puts his trust in Me will never be thirsty. 36 I said to you that you have seen Me and yet you do not put your trust in Me. 37 All whom My Father has given to Me will come to Me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.” John 6:35-37 NLV

When we come to Him, hungry and thirsty for the life He gives, He will never turn us away!

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