Category: Encouragement

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In the Storm

Something we know about on the mountain is the storms.

We watch them roll in – first the clouds gather, then they darken, soon after comes the rain. With the rain we generally have a few good lightning flashes and then the thunder. Sometimes the thunder and lightning can be earth shaking.

But after…the skies clear, the storm has passed.

Isn’t that the way it is with life? We can see the storms brewing, the winds blow, the sky grows dark and the rain and thunder come.

Married or single, male or female, the storms come. The times when you’re holding hands and praying because your business has just gone bust, or you’ve lost a child. The times when you want to give up completely but make yourself take one more breath and one more step. The doctor’s report, the auto accident, a ruined reputation, divorce papers.

The storms come. But…

“A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water. 38 Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”

39 Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.” Mark 4:37-39 ERV

Jesus is in the storm with us! He has promised to never leave us or abandon us. He is there to calm the storm.

Trust Him!

“You are a strong tower, where I am safe from my enemies. 4 Let me live with you forever
and find protection under your wings, my God.” Psalm 61:3-4 CEV

“Heavenly Father, my prayer today is for all who are reading this. For those that are weary be their strength, those that are sick be their healer and great physician, for those who are hurting show yourself as their comforter, for those seeking direction fill them with your wisdom, for those who are frightened bathe them in peace, those that are in need reveal yourself as their source of supply and for those who are downcast fill them with your joy! Father, you are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. All we have need of we find in you. Thank you. In Jesus Name.”

We are safe in the midst of the storm!

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Read All About It!

This morning Facebook gave me a reminder of where I was and what I was doing nine years ago today.

I was in Waterloo, Iowa with appointments at several doctors’ for follow-up visits after my release from the hospital. I had never been so sick and there were moments that led up to my hospitalization that had me uttering words that I hope I never need to repeat again.

“The Lord’s arm is raised in victory. The Lord has shown his great power again. 17 I will live and not die, and I will tell what the Lord has done.” Psalm 118:16-17 ERV

I praise God for His healing power and His protection over me, not only in moments of crisis but in the everyday times of life. He is my constant source of strength, joy, health and peace.

“Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.” I Samuel 12:24 KJV

My relationship with the Father isn’t one that is casual or that I take for granted and ignore. It is foundational, the core of my being. I am dependent upon Him and His word.

There is a chorus that is running through my mind this morning, one we can all sing:

“How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God. How great, how great it our God!”

He is great in the good times and in the struggles. He is great in large crowds and in solitude. He is great!

I love the story of the man Jesus restored to his right mind. This man was demon possessed and he lived in the countryside where he ran naked and was surrounded by a herd of pigs. His life was spent in total chaos until He had an encounter with Jesus.

“People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man sitting there at the feet of Jesus. The man had clothes on and was in his right mind again; the demons were gone. This made the people afraid.” Luke 8:35 ERV

Jesus changes lives! He did then and He does today. He is always the same – yesterday, today and forever.

“The man he had healed begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 ‘Go back home and tell people what God did for you.’ So the man went all over town telling what Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39

You may not have been healed from a life-threatening illness or been restored to a right mental state but every one of us has a story to tell. It is our personal story of God’s goodness and His love.

Go “publish” the news of God’s greatness! Extra, Extra Read All About It!

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Encouragement & Hope

When I read the Bible, I look for God’s love and I find it in the life stories of its many characters. When I read the Bible looking for evidence of God’s love, I find it manifest to flawed humans who need encouragement and strength, just like the former leper in yesterday’s blog.

Today I would like to introduce you to another one of my Bible friends. His life has had many up’s and down’s. I share quotes from him all the time; he is a shepherd, a song writer, a refugee, a father of wayward children, a husband, an adulterer, a hero, a king and a man who has a heart for God.

His name is David. A man like us with human weaknesses, disappointments and facing tragic circumstances.

“All the men in the army were sad and angry because their sons and daughters were taken as prisoners. The men were talking about killing David with stones. This upset David very much, but he found strength in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6 ERV

David’s wife and children had been stolen along with the wives and children of his men. His men were so distraught they were considering killing David because they felt it was “all his fault”. David needed someone to encourage him but there was no one so he encouraged himself.

Maybe that’s how you feel today. Maybe all seems lost. When David had no one else to count on, no one to encourage him, he found strength and courage in the Lord.

If you need to encourage yourself today start with these verses. Look in the mirror and read them to yourself.

“You formed the way I think and feel. You put me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because you made me in such a wonderful way. I know how amazing that was! 15 You could see my bones grow as my body took shape, hidden in my mother’s womb. 16 You could see my body grow each passing day. You listed all my parts, and not one of them was missing. 17 Your thoughts are beyond my understanding. They cannot be measured! 18 If I could count them, they would be more than all the grains of sand. But when I finished, I would have just begun” Psalm 139:13-18 ERV

This should put a smile on your face and hope in your heart!

God formed you and He saw to it that nothing was missing in your development. He is still with you promising to never leave you or abandon you! You’re not alone!

After David spent time with the Lord, He was able to encourage his men. They went out and defeat the army that had stolen their families and their goods. They recovered all.

“David got back everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing. They found all the children and old people, all their sons and daughters, and all their valuables. They got back everything the Amalekites had taken. David brought everything back.” I Samuel 30:18-19 ERV

Let’s learn from David. Take what the Lord has done for us and give hope to others. It’s wonderful to know that we can be used even in our toughest moments!

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A Touch

I’ve started reading through the Gospels again. Since we are supposed to be Christ’s ambassadors on earth, I think it’s important to study his life, the miracles He did and the way He dealt with people. This way I can better emulate Him.

One of my favorite miracles is in Matthew 8. The healing of the leper.

For probably fifteen plus years now I have read and reread this man’s story. The first time I truly read it, I was brought to tears. Oh, I’ve heard the story since I was a child in Sunday School. But there was that one day when it came to life.

Jesus had been preaching on the mountain. Many had come to hear him teach. The whole teaching can be found in Matthew, chapters 5 to 7. He gave an example for prayer, the “Lord’s Prayer”, He gave instruction on character – blessed are the meek, the peacemakers, the righteous, etc. He gave us instruction on how to change our world, we are to be salt and light.

And He gave insight into the Father’s character and how He treats us. Jesus told us to ask to receive, to search and we would find, to knock so that we would see doors open. He went on to say that the Father gives good gifts to His children.

Many were on the mountain with Jesus, listening. As He descended the mountain side He was met by this man, a leper. This man who had heard His teaching, this man was unclean and by Jewish tradition was forbidden to be in close contact with any other human. This man was an outcast and left to rot, literally.

But this man had heard the words of Jesus and it filled his heart with faith. This man ignored the traditions of religion and came to the Savior.
“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.” Matthew 8:1-3 ERV

Jesus also ignored religious traditions and touched this man.

I have no idea how many years it had been since this man felt the touch of another human. How long had it been since anyone had hugged him or kissed his cheek? How he must have longed for someone to simply touch his hand or pat him on the back.

He heard Jesus say “ask and it will be given you” and of all the people on the mountainside that day – he asked and then he received.

That’s what Jesus has done for each one of us who have asked. He has touched us – our lives have been changed. We are no longer ravaged by leprous cells of past sins, no longer an outcast.

Again, the tears are falling. My heart is filled with thanksgiving and the words of a song come to mind:

He touched me, oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole

One touch of the Master’s Hand and now we’ve been made whole!

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Time for a Chat

Yesterday we had the opportunity just to sit and chat with new friends. It really touched our hearts.

One of the things that kept entering our conversation was our trust in the Father, even when plans change or don’t go according to the way we thought they should. We talked of times when things caught us by surprise and/or times when we had to adjust and change course. Never once was God surprised or taken back. He has never had a morning when He woke up and said “boy, I didn’t see that coming – I wonder what I should do now”.

No, He always has a plan. God’s plan B is always better than our plan A.

“I was still being held prisoner in the courtyard of the palace guards when the Lord told me: I am the Lord, and I created the whole world. 3 Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don’t know and can’t find out.” Jeremiah 33:1-3 CEV

I can’t imagine being held in a physical prison, but I have been incarcerated both emotionally and financially and those were dark places. However, I was never alone; the Father was there with a plan. Those were times for a Father/daughter chat. I told Him my heart and He told me His.

The blogs of the last few days it seems apparent that the Father is wanting us to remember to talk with Him. Just look at a few of the verses we have covered.

  • “Ask and it will be given, seek and we will find.”
  • “Behold I stand at the door and knock, open it and I will come in and have fellowship with you”
  • “I know the plans that I have for you – plans for a hope and a future”

Now look at these verses:

“ ‘I, the Lord, am the one speaking to you. Come, let’s discuss this. Even if your sins are as dark as red dye, that stain can be removed and you will be as pure as wool that is as white as snow. 19 ‘If you listen to what I say, you will get the good things from this land.'” Isaiah 1:17-19 ERV

“Come, let’s discuss this”, once again here is an invitation to come and talk to the Father.

Sit down with Him and have a chat! He sees things differently than we do and His way of seeing and doing is always right.

“ A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:10 ERV

Others might see us through our past and all of our mistakes and failures. But God, sees us cleansed through the blood of Jesus. We see insurmountable problems, but He sees us eating the good things in life.

When we talk with our Dad, He’ll sort things out and let us see them from His perspective.

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Which Box?

Do you have a tendency to compartmentalize your life?

Family, work, health, friends, finances, social activities. Everything has to be kept in its own little box, not touching or interfering with the others, like vegetables on a dinner plate, we don’t let them blend.

Many people do that with the Lord. It’s ok for Him to have their Sunday or days when times are tough, but they aren’t ready to allow Him to permeate each area of their everyday lives.

Yesterday’s blog dealt with opening our heart’s door and letting Jesus in. Welcoming Him in a warmer way than we do with family and friends. Today, we need to look at giving Him full access to every area of our lives.

I found an interesting assessment of the Lord in the book of I Kings. Benhadad, a foreign king, had attacked Ahab, king of Samaria. The Israelites had gone to aid in the fight. King Benhadad was defeated, his officers needed to find a reason for his defeat and this is what they told him.

“King Ben-Hadad’s officers said to him, ‘The gods of Israel are mountain gods. We fought in a mountain area, so the Israelites won. If we fight them on level ground, we will win.'” I Kings 20:23 ERV

God won’t be kept in a box. God won’t be limited. This was the Lord’s reply to their attempt to confine his involvement.

“A man of God came to the king of Israel with this message: ‘The Lord said, “The people of Aram said that I, the Lord, am a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys. So I will let you defeat this great army. Then all of you will know that I am the Lord, wherever you are!’” I Kings 20:28 ERV

The same holds true in our lives.

The Lord wants to show that He is the Lord, wherever we are. God wants to be involved in every aspect of what we do. He has the knowledge, the plan and the power to bring us through in victory. He wants to be Lord over every area of our lives.

“Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:16-17 CEV

Our lives should be completely filled with the message of Christ, letting Him have every area, holding nothing back. Then whatever we say or do will be done to honor Him.

We have all given the Lord limited access in our lives at one time or another. Isn’t it time to let Him have it all? No more putting Him in a box. Let the Lord bring the victory we need in every area.

“Then all of you will know that I am the Lord, wherever you are!”

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What Is Man…

This picture came up in my computer notifications yesterday. I had taken it a year ago.

I remember specifically how awe-struck I was in viewing the evening sky. I sat in my camp chair and watched as the clouds slowly moved, with the darkness embracing them. I had to capture some of the grandeur!

These words came to mind then and now.

“Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above. 2 With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless.

3 I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. 4 Then I ask, ‘Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?’ 5 You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor.

6 You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power— 7 the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal,8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures.

9 Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!” Psalm 8 CEV

I, too, often think about the heavens and the earth and all that the Lord has made and I ask, “who am I that You, Father God, think of me”. God’s word brings my answer:

“God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. 16 God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children.” Romans 8:15-16 CEV

The Father thinks about us because we are His children. His love is everlasting, His mercy is new every morning, His faithfulness endures to a thousand generations and His grace is sufficient in every situation.

When I see the clouds, or an evening/morning sky filled with beauty my heart is stirred to sing that great, old hymn of the faith.

“Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook and feel the gentle breeze

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art?
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art?”

Let’s ask the question again, “what is man that Thou art mindful of him”? We will probably never understand the depth of His answer to us. His heart says He wants us to know this:

“…Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love. 18  I pray that you and all God’s people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep. 19 I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” Ephesians 3:17-19 CEV

Oh Father, how great Thou art!

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Practice Kindness

Being kind goes a long way in life today. With so many being rude and self-centered kindness and genuine concern are like a cup of cool water on a hot day.

Practice Kindness just because you can!

Not sure what makes people who don’t know you think they can criticize or make hurtful comments but some feel they have a “right” to express their opinions without knowing anything about you.

What a difference it makes to say something kind!

I remember when I was young and learning to play the piano, I was required to practice every day. Mom would set the timer on the kitchen stove and I would have to sit on the piano bench and practice. On most days I would rather be out playing but I knew if I was going to improve I had to sit there and going through my scales, then my selected pieces and finally I would get to end with a song I really liked.

There was a little song that would go through my head, “Practice makes perfect, practice makes perfect”.

The same with kindness. The more we “practice”, it begins to become natural. A kind word, a gesture, a helping hand, a smile, a sacrifice of time, a listening ear, a touch. All of these are ways of saying I care.

“If you are guided by the Spirit, you won’t obey your selfish desires. 17 The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should. 18 But if you obey the Spirit, the Law of Moses has no control over you…

22 God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways. 24 And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires. 25 God’s Spirit has given us life, and so we should follow the Spirit. 26 But don’t be conceited or make others jealous by claiming to be better than they are.” Galatians 5:16-26 CEV

We need to let the Spirit lead us even in the simple things of the day.

Let the Father’s love shine through! It’s time to practice.

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Quiet

Back in the mountains this morning. We had a safe drive with clear roads. Thank you Lord!

The last couple of weeks I have been pondering my quiet time. For as long as I can remember I have been getting up early and sitting in the morning silence. I really can’t image starting my day any other way.

“Even before sunrise, I pray for your help, and I put my hope in what you have said.” Psalm 119:147 CEV

I remember when our oldest two children were little, I had instructed them that if they came into our room and I was in my chair praying that they needed to stand quietly until I asked them what they wanted it. It was “Mommy’s quiet time with Jesus and they needed to be quiet too”.

Several years later life got real busy and I forgot I needed that time. I lost focus for a while but then there was a rededication to spending my mornings with the Father.

“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.” Psalm 63:1-3 NKJV

My quiet time is my prescription for a healthy life. It’s where I find strength and peace, it’s my source of joy. Proverbs tells us that a merry heart does good like a medicine so, yes, my morning time is truly my prescription.

“You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful.” Psalm 16:11 CEV

I am concerned for our society. Being pulled in so many different directions. I meet Christians who are exhausted and weary, that’s not God’s plan. I often hear “I am so exhausted”.

“…But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so they can know him too. 28  If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29  Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.” Matthew 11:27b-29 CEV

Come to the Lord and find rest.

I would like to offer you this challenge. For the next two weeks, get up 30 minutes earlier. Sit quietly and pray. Read your favorite Bible verse. Ask the Lord to give you new insight into how to go through your day. Thank Him for giving you peace and rest. And then sit quietly and listen for His voice.

I guarantee He will meet you there. He desires to spend time with you – His heart’s desire is for a deeper relationship with His children.

Ssssh! Be still and know that He is God.

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Soaring

Yesterday morning my attention was held captive by the view across the meadow. I was enjoying watching the clouds that filled the sky. Huge, white billowy clouds, and suddenly there it was.

An eagle.

He appeared from what seemed nowhere and now he was the focus of my attention. I watched as he soared, with wings outstretched, each circle rising higher and higher. I realized too late that I should be trying to get a picture of this magnificent sight.

I reached for my phone but by the time I had it on camera setting the eagle had disappeared into the clouds. I waited but he didn’t reappear.

As he rose higher and higher there was really no effort exhibited on his part. His wings were locked and the wind thermals were lifting him. This morning I looked for some explanation of how this happens. This is what I found:

“Like many people, I am fascinated by bird flight. Unlike most people, I get to study flight of Golden Eagles for a living. These large birds move through the landscape primarily by soaring—a style of flying where they hold their wings outward and rarely flap, saving them considerable energy. Instead of flapping, they rely on rising air currents to gain altitude.

Two types of rising air currents provide most lift for soaring eagles. The first, thermal updrafts, form when energy from the sun heats air at the Earth’s surface and causes it to rise. Eagles circle within these columns of rising air to gain great altitude and then glide out of the thermals to move across the landscape…” from the American Ornithological Society, americanornithology.org

Did you know that the Lord wants us to soar? It’s not to be on our own efforts. He wants us to find our support from the energy, the updrafts as it were, that He provides.

“Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle.” Psalm 103:5 CEV

“The Lord gives strength to those who are weary. 30 Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. 31 But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.” Isaiah 40:29-31 CEV

“Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help.” Psalm 27:14ERV

The word “wait” in the last verse can also be translated “trust”. When we trust the Lord, we find new strength. We can rely on Him instead of our own abilities and then we will soar.

May I ask, what has been weighing you down? What has been causing you to become weary or has caused you to stumble or fall?

Wait on the Lord – He will give you new strength and show you how to soar!

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