Category: Encouragement

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Learning New Things

Yesterday a friend posed a question, if you only had a short amount of time to teach someone the ways of Christ what would you focus on?

The list could be endless, however, he prefaced it with “a short amount of time”. This morning I believe I found how Jesus would answer that question.

“‘My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. 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. 30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.'” Matthew 11:27-30 CEV

Jesus wants us to know the Father!

He wants us to know the Father’s heart – his love, mercy, grace, power, strength, protection, rest. The Father gave Jesus everything he needed for his life on this earth. Jesus was content to know that the Father was willingly supplying all, nothing was excluded. And He wanted to tell others, us, about the Father so we could know Him too.

Let’s be honest as we assess our lives and current circumstances. When we are tired of carrying heavy loads, all the day-to-day responsibilities, the financial pressures, the need to make a good living, where do we turn? Do we take some sort of sleep aide, maybe another glass of wine, or just work until we are exhausted and are forced to sleep?

Jesus’ words are clear. “Come to me and I will give you rest. Learn from me.” In context, He is telling us to come and learn about the Father, come to know the Father as He does. It’s in learning about the Father and all He is and has provided that we will find true peace and rest.

The word picture that Jesus is giving us here is a farm scene. Take my yoke.

In Jesus day the fields were plowed with a team of oxen. A younger ox would need to be trained to accept the yoke and the proper way to plow. It would be paired with an older, more experienced ox. A yoke would be placed across the neck of both, linking them together. Then the farmer would drive them through the field.

The weight of the yoke would rest solely on the neck and shoulders of the older ox since he was stool taller. The younger ox just needed to learn to walk alongside without straining to go his own way.

The yoke is easy and the burden is light.

When we walk alongside of Jesus, watching His life and learning from Him about the Father and His love, our burdens get lighter. We learn to let the Lord carry the load.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

Now, going back to the question my friend asked yesterday. If I only had a short amount of time, what would I teach? I would teach the goodness of God and the unconditional love of the Father.

“Come learn of me and find rest”!

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Needing Support

Last night a memory came to mind. It’s coming on the end of summer and when we lived in Montana that meant it was time to harvest the apple tree.

The branches of this tree were heavy laden with fruit. I would have to place wood posts under the branches to hold them up and keep them from breaking. But that’s not the only support this tree needed.

The wind in Montana seems to never stop. So, the folks who planted the tree tied it to a very sturdy post to keep if from blowing over when its trunk was young and easily bent . Those ropes were still providing it with support when we bought the home some years later. We left them in place.

Maybe you’ve felt like that apple tree, in need of support. I know I have.

As children we are nurtured and supported by our parents, grandparents, teachers at school, coaches and loving friends. They are there to give us instruction, correction and guidance. They pick us up when we fall down. They help us develop and begin our journey in living fruitful lives.

As we grow older, we still need a support system. Loving family and caring friends are a priceless treasure but even then, we have dark days when we feel alone. That’s when we need the support that only the Father can provide.

“You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings. 8 I stay close to you, and your powerful arm supports me.” Psalm 63:7-9 CEV

I’m sure each of us can remember a time when we were without hope, feeling wind-blown and insecure. But then we experienced a strength and grounding that only the Lord could give. We might not have recognized it as such, but it was the Father’s help just the same. It could have come as the kind words and prayers of a friend or perhaps, just an inner strength and determination that kept us tethered. God has a way of providing us with what we need in those times.

“Since childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise enough to have faith in Christ Jesus and be saved. 16 Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. 17 The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.” II Timothy 3:15-17 CEV

His word gives us support and instruction, instruction that will keep us strong.

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

There is no more reliable and sure counsel, no other place of unfailing support than what we will find in God’s presence and in His written word!

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A List of Rules

When folks come into the campground there are a few rules we ask them to follow. Don’t leave a campfire burning when you leave camp; quiet time starts at 10 pm, keep your dogs on leash, and don’t park off the asphalt. Basics for a pleasant camping trip.

We all grew up with rules. School had one set of rules governing our behavior, at home there was another set and so it was with church.

When I grew up we had all sorts of rules that we needed to live by; no dancing, my grandmother made sure we didn’t say gosh darn it because that was swearing. My freshman year in college we had to sign a statement that we wouldn’t attend movies. Mom told me that she couldn’t use scissors on Sunday when she was a young girl.

There is always some well-meaning person who wants to make rules and regulations for us to live by.

There are some rules that were supposed to make us more holy. Holiness is never about what we do; it’s about our relationship with Christ who lives within us. The things we do or don’t do should be done as a way of showing our love for Christ, not as a way of earning His love.

“So don’t let anyone make rules for you about eating and drinking or about Jewish customs (festivals, New Moon celebrations, or Sabbath days)…Don’t listen to them when they say you are wrong because you don’t do these things. It is so foolish for them to feel such pride, because it is all based on their own human ideas. 19 They don’t keep themselves under the control of the head. Christ is the head, and the whole body depends on him. Because of Christ all the parts of the body care for each other and help each other. So the body is made stronger and held together as God causes it to grow.

20 You died with Christ and were made free from the powers that influence this world. So why do you act as if you still belong to the world? I mean, why do you follow rules like these: 21 “Don’t eat this,” “Don’t taste that,” “Don’t touch that”? 22 These rules are talking about earthly things that are gone after they are used. They are only human commands and teachings.” Colossians 2:17-23 CEV

If we ask the Lord to show us what things in our life don’t please Him, He will tell us. We need to be willing to change those things and ask for His help in doing so. Since we know that all of God’s power lives in Christ and we live in Christ there will never be a power shortage when it comes to change.

When the Father prompts us to change it comes with encouragement and not condemnation. It will be an action of love and never a list of unobtainable rules.

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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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