Category: Encouragement

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Good News!

Sitting here this morning, there are so many things on my mind and in my heart. Praying for my children and grandchildren, friends who need direction, healing for the friends of friends and for our nation and our government and those who rule our land. So many things around us are going contrary to what Jesus said was the kingdom of heaven and what God has designed for us.

Jesus also 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 went through all the towns and villages preaching the good news of the kingdom of heaven and with that message he demonstrated the power of God by doing miracles.

“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

He also sent out his disciples, preaching the same message and they too, did the same miracles.

“As you go, announce that the kingdom of heaven will soon be here. [d] 8Heal the sick, raise the dead to life, heal people who have leprosy, [e] and force out demons. You received without paying, now give without being paid.” Matthew 10:7-8 ERV

In Peter’s preaching he gave this testimony of Jesus and his ministry.

“You surely know what happened everywhere in Judea. It all began in Galilee after John had told everyone to be baptized. 38 God gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus from Nazareth. He was with Jesus, as he went around doing good and healing everyone who was under the power of the devil. 39 We all saw what Jesus did both in Israel and in the city of Jerusalem. Jesus was put to death on a cross. 40 But three days later, God raised him to life and let him be seen. 41 Not everyone saw him. He was seen only by us, who ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. We were the ones God chose to tell others about him.” Acts 10: 37-41. ERV

But the corruption of the government was always on Jesus disciples’ minds and 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.” 9After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him, 10but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky.” Acts 1:6-9 ERV

Today, many are asking the same thing. When, Lord, are you going to do something about our government and those in power? Things are not good that is for certain! But we are hopeful and can trust that God knows the day and the hour. Until then, Jesus final command to the disciples is for us as well. We receive power from the Holy Spirit and are to be witnesses in our home town (Jerusalem), in our country (Judea), to our neighboring countries (Samaria) and then into the whole world. And what are we to preach – the same thing the disciples did. The kingdom of heaven is at hand and we can minister with the same power and authority that they had.

Let’s go and share the good news!

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Show Me The Way

So, I’m going to share with you a conversation that occurred yesterday between Dave and I. We flew to Texas early yesterday morning to pick up a “new-to-us” truck we purchased. We were in a smaller town outside of Dallas. Lyft took us from the airport to the dealership.

After we signed all the papers we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant across the parking lot and then we got in the truck and headed toward San Angelo. I had put San Angelo in the Waze app and tapped on “Go Now”. It calculated and started spitting out directions. We hadn’t programmed the NAV in the new truck yet so we were going off the phone. When Dave asked me to tell him how far our turn was I told him what it said on the screen. To which he replied that’s not possible we’re not going to Ft Worth.

All I could say is “but that’s what it says”. Good thing we were on a four-lane divided road because he was able to pull off and look at the screen and the direction. “This is all wrong. We have to figure something out.” Since I had no idea where we were and where we were going it was all on him. Finally, we got it calculated to a smaller town much closer and we were off again.

Show me the way home! The best way home!

How many times do we take off in one direction thinking we know what’s right and find out we should have recalculated. God’s word is our best road map!

If we call He will answer; if we seek He will show us the way; if we knock He will see that the door opens. Problem is, too often we don’t ask or we are too consumed in making our own way to follow His. I love that the Father is always there listening and He is always willing to answer when I call.

“Listen, Lord, as I pray! You are faithful and honest and will answer my prayer. 2 I am your servant. Don’t try me in your court, because no one is innocent by your standards. 3 My enemies are chasing me, crushing me in the ground. I am in total darkness, like someone long dead. 4 I have given up all hope, and I feel numb all over. 5 I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. 6 Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you. 7 Please hurry, Lord, and answer my prayer. I feel hopeless. Don’t turn away and leave me here to die. 8 Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance. 9 Please rescue me from my enemies, Lord! I come to you for safety. 10 You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.
11 Be true to your name, Lord, and keep my life safe. Use your saving power to protect me from trouble. 12 I am your servant. Show how much you love me by destroying my enemies.” Psalm 143 CEV

On those days when I feel like throwing up my hands and having a good cry I have learned if I offer up a prayer first, my way becomes more clear, the path opens up before me and the Father is even there to dry my tears.

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Where to Find Beauty

When you hear the word “beauty” what’s the first thing you think of? It may be a gorgeous scene like pictured here or perhaps it’s a person.

Not many would think of holiness as beauty but King David did.

“Give the Lord praise worthy of his glory. Come into his presence with your offerings.  Worship the Lord in all his holy beauty.” I Chronicles 16:29 ERV

Holiness is about our relationship with Christ who lives within us. It’s so much more than rules set up by people. Holiness is about character – purity of motives – it’s our lives reflecting God’s nature.

As the moon reflects the brightness of the sun and shares that illumination with the night sky, our lives can and should reflect the brightness of the “Son” and illuminate our sphere of influence.

“So don’t let anyone make rules for you about eating and drinking or about Jewish customs (festivals, New Moon celebrations, or Sabbath days)…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. 23 These rules may seem to be wise as part of a made-up religion in which people pretend to be humble and punish their bodies. But they don’t help people stop doing the evil that the sinful self wants to do.

You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth. 3 Your old self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. 4 Yes, Christ is now your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory.” Colossians 2:17-3:3 ERV

The Lord will show us what things in our life don’t please Him. Be honest and willing to change those things. Ask Him for His help. All of God’s power is available to us through Christ. Since we live in Christ there will never be a power shortage when it comes to change.

“Be holy in everything you do, just as God is holy. He is the one who chose you. 16 In the Scriptures God says, ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'” I Peter 1:15-16 ERV

It would be unfair of the Lord to give us an instruction that we can’t live up too. When He gives us an instruction He gives us the ability to walk it out. When God prompts us to change it comes with encouragement and not condemnation.

Let Him clothe you in the beauty of His holiness.

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Shake Down Cruise

Dave and I just returned from three weeks in the White Mountains of Arizona. It was wonderful!

Did you miss me? No? Most of you didn’t even know we were gone. The two weeks before we left I spent time writing and rewriting my morning blogs. Our oldest daughter, Kim, helped with posting them to Facebook and the daily emails were auto-posted through WordPress. Technology is my friend. Thank you Kim.

But now let’s get back to the camping trip. We had very limited cell and internet service while we were there so it really was a vacation. I had one dear friend ask me how I was handling not writing my blog each morning. She said she knows how much I love sitting down each morning and talking with each of you from my heart. I admit it was difficult. I did get up each morning and pray for you all. I realized, once again, I don’t get up early because I have too; I get up early because it’s my time with the Father and my time to pray for those I love.

This was the first time we had our fifth-wheel on an extended trip. It was a time of learning, a shake-down cruise, as it were. We were camping without hook ups in two very nice National Forest Campgrounds. We learned a lot.

We knew the capacity, in gallons, of our fresh, gray and black water tanks. We knew the size of our two propane bottles; we knew the size of our generator and the power of our battery but we didn’t know how long any of that would last under daily use. It was a pleasant learning experience. This is what a shake-down cruise is all about – learning how all systems work and if there are any problems.

Some things we rationed thinking we might run out. We didn’t know how long it took to heat the water heater and how much shower time we had with seven gallons of hot water and so the first showers were very short. Experience told us we could shower a bit longer.

We loved learning! We loved being in God’s beautiful creation! We loved being together – talking, planning, praying and thanking God for who He is and how He has directed our lives.

Life here on earth is basically a shake-down cruise. It is a time we learn about our heavenly Father. We learn about His grace, mercy, goodness, kindness, correction and love. We learn that we don’t have to cut our showers of cleansing short because we will never exhaust the warm refreshing of His love and forgiveness.

His love endures forever. His mercy is new every morning. Great is God’s faithfulness. His grace abounds.

Living a life dependent upon the Lord, upon all that He is, here on earth is just a fore-taste of how great heaven will be!

“Let us thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was through His loving-kindness that we were born again to a new life and have a hope that never dies. This hope is ours because Jesus was raised from the dead. 4 We will receive the great things that we have been promised. They are being kept safe in heaven for us. They are pure and will not pass away. They will never be lost. 5 You are being kept by the power of God because you put your trust in Him and you will be saved from the punishment of sin at the end of the world.” I Peter 1:3-5 NLV

Take time to enjoy the journey. Our loving Father has supplied abundantly for every need!

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Say It Again!

Did you ever watch the movie Ever After with Drew Barrymore. It was a cinderella-type story. In one of the final scenes, the man she loves finds her in her nemesis castle. All through the movie she has disguised her identity and has been going by an assumed name. But now as he approaches her, the music swells and he says, I love you, Danielle. She says “Say it again” and he repeats “I love you”. “No, not that. Say my name again.”

Now listen to this story of how being called by name changed a woman’s life.

It was early in the morning, about sunrise. The women who loved and followed Jesus, the ones who had their lives changed by His ministry, went to the tomb. They were taking spices to anoint His body properly for burial. Their hearts were aching and they had to do something to show their love and devotion for their Lord. Only one thing – who would roll away the stone? Surely the soldiers who were guarding his body would only laugh and mock but they had to try. When the women approached and saw the stone rolled away their hearts sank – “Where’s Jesus? Where have they taken Him?” Desperation came rushing in.

“The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, the one who was killed on the cross. 6 But he is not here. He has risen from death, as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was.” Matthew 28:5-6 ERV

The women went to the disciples and reported that they had seen an angel, the empty tomb and that Jesus was risen!!! From the pit of depression to the height of ecstasy. The Savior, the Messiah, Jesus was alive! However, the men who heard their report didn’t believe them. I’m not sure why but they didn’t.

Mary Magdalene must have followed Peter and John back to the tomb. If they didn’t believe her and the other women who reported what the angels had told them, “He is not here. He is risen”, could they have been wrong? She needed to know what had happened to Jesus. The tomb was empty and His body was gone. Mary had to know – where is my Lord?

“ … she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the man in charge of the garden. So she said to him, “Did you take him away, sir? Tell me where you put him. I will go and get him.” John 20:13-16 ERV

I find myself at a loss of words, I can’t adequately convey the heart ache, the despair, the confusion, the anguish that Mary must have been experiencing. Jesus had saved her, He had delivered her from demons. She had never known life, true life, until Jesus set her free and now He was gone and she didn’t even get to say good bye!

And then it all changed with just a word:

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and said in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni,’ which means “Teacher.” John 20:16 ERV

One word, just one word – Jesus spoke her name and she knew! “Mary.” The flood of emotion was overwhelming; relief, joy, love, and peace. Tears.

Have you ever really been at the bottom? I mean the very bottom where you weren’t sure you even wanted to go on living? Everything in your life has come crashing in and all hope is gone – have you been there? I have. And with one word, one short message I heard Jesus speak my name! “Kristi.” Sweet and softly spoken, I knew that I have not been forgotten. Jesus knows me, He loves me and He called me by name.

The story of the resurrection is this: Jesus died and rose again, defeating death, hell and the grave; He faced it all to call us by name and let us know we are truly loved and forgiven.

“Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine!” Isaiah 43:2 NLV

I hope you can hear Jesus calling you by name today. There’s no greater joy than hearing Him say, I love you!

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How Safe is a Sinking Ship?

Dave and I like to watch historically factual movies. We have seen stories on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots; a prison ship that sailed from England to New South Wales; a series on the founding of the western frontier; one based on the fur trappers and traders that opened northern trades routes and another on the Revolutionary War.

At some point during each one of these we have made the comment that we certainly have an easy life compared to those who came before us. We had to consider how we would have reacted if we had been alive during those times.

One morning while I was praying and thanking God for the life I have, I began to consider these people and their hardships and then I thought of Paul, the apostle. His life was impacted by persecution and peril. I focused in on his strength and resolve. I want you to see his comments. I think you will find hope and encouragement by seeing how the Lord met him in his greatest struggles.

“…I have been in prison more times. I cannot remember how many times I have been whipped. Many times I have been in danger of death. 24 Five different times the Jews whipped me across my back thirty-nine times. 25 Three times they beat me with sticks. One time they threw stones at me. Three times I was on ships that were wrecked. I spent a day and a night in the water. 26 I have made many hard trips. I have been in danger from high water on rivers. I have been in danger from robbers. I have been in danger from the Jews. I have been in danger from people who do not know God. I have been in danger in cities and in the desert. I have been in danger on the sea. I have been in danger among people who say they belong to Christ but do not…” II Corinthians 11:22-33 NLV

People either hated Paul or loved him. His message was one of life and peace and even though he was greatly opposed he kept going. Where did he find the strength? He tells us.

“He answered me, ‘I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.’ I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me.” II Corinthians 12:8 NLV

Do you see the answer to Paul’s prayer? “When I am weak, then I am strong”. Paul wasn’t always saved from the storm but he was always safe in the storm.

“We did not see the sun or stars for many days. A very bad storm kept beating against us. We lost all hope of being saved. 21 No one had eaten for a long time. Then Paul stood up and said to them, ‘Men, you should have listened to me and not left Crete. You would not have had this trouble and loss. 22 But now I want you to take hope. No one will lose his life. Only the ship will be lost. 23 I belong to God and I work for Him. Last night an angel of God stood by me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand in front of Caesar. God has given you the lives of all the men on this ship.’ 25 So take hope, men. I believe my God will do what He has told me. 26 But the ship will be lost on some island.’ 27 It was now the fourteenth night…Just before the light of day came, Paul told all of them to eat. He said, ‘Today is the fourteenth day you have not eaten. 34 You must eat. It will give you strength. Not one of you will lose a hair from your head’…Calling out to those who could swim, he told them to jump into the sea and swim to shore. 44 The others should use wood or anything from the ship. In this way, they all got to shore without getting hurt.” Acts 27: 20-44 NLV

Now this should be a movie!

We have Jesus’ word that He came to provide us with a good life, a life of victory and peace. He promised to give us strength for whatever comes our way. So many times we want a life that is “storm free” and we start to cave when troubles come. Many of the people in the Bible faced perilous times. Even Jesus faced the cross but rose victorious!

Here’s one final thought from the Apostle Paul. One that will give encouragement and hope. When we feel weak, helpless, hopeless, discouraged, misunderstood, pick on or abandoned we can find strength in our weakness because Christ will come to make us strong.

When we are weak, we are strong in God!

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Lord, It’s Hard To Be Humble

For the last month or two I have been reading the history of the kings of Judah and Israel. If anyone ever tells you that “God could never want or use you – just look at all the stuff you have done” I would tell you to have them read I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, I & II Chronicles. Those kings were a piece of work. Not a humble one in the bunch – oh, they may have started out that way or ended up that way but everyone of them had a battle with ego.

The Bible is filled with promises for those who are humble. Psalm 138:6 says that the Lord takes care of the humble. He gives honor and wisdom to the humble. Proverbs 11:2, 15:33

What does humility look like?

It looks like Jesus. He gave up all the glory of heaven and His place at the right hand of God the Father to come to earth. There was no room for pride in His life.

Jesus played with children, gave comfort to the grieving, befriended rough and burly fisherman, spent His time with the lepers, lame, blind and societies outcasts. He never compromised His deity but He never lorded His position over those He was teaching.

The Apostle Paul gave this instruction to Christians in the early church.

“God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-13 ERV

A humble person doesn’t need to be in the limelight. They help make others look good and feel elevated. A humble person is one who encourages others, someone who isn’t afraid to get in and help out where needed. They don’t need the praise of others, they do the right thing because it’s right.

“All of you young people should obey your elders. In fact, everyone should be humble toward everyone else. The Scriptures say, “God opposes proud people, but he helps everyone who is humble.” 6 Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. 7 God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:5-7

God helps those who are humble. A meek or humble person will be misunderstood and even be treated wrongly. Look at Jesus, he was despised and hated by the religious rulers of his day because He didn’t measure up to their ideals. He ate with sinners, showed compassion to harlots, healed on the Sabbath. In the face of their objections, He continued on.

Isn’t it better to be humble and know we are pleasing God than to measure up to all of societies ideals and expectations? Yes, it is. When our lifestyle reflects humility we may offend some, we may be passed over because we don’t have the “leadership” skills necessary. If that’s the case, so be it.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV

I love that verse! The Lord will lift us up. Our loving Father will pick us up in His arms and give us a big hug. Or He’ll come in and wrap His arm around our shoulder and encourage us to continue on with what we’re doing. We’re acting like Him.

Thank  you Father for coming to our aid and taking our cares. We rely on you.

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Time to Sit

The last few weeks have been very busy but yesterday we had a good rain and everything came to a stand still. It was time to sit.

Relax and reflect!

This year has been one of so many changes. A lot of things have been turned up-side-down. But some things should never change – one being our faith and trust in the unfailing, inerrant Word of God. The Word of God should and will be the final authority by which all is judged. It is the word of God that spoke this world into existence and it is what is holding it together still.

Many struggle with issues in life, depression, recession, dis – ease, fear, hopelessness, anything but the abundant life that God has promised to us in His word. The authority of God’s word and His promises are unchangeable and infallible.

If we live by the Bible we are considered old fashioned, uninformed, not academically in tune or worse yet intolerant and politically incorrect. But, I know of no other Book that has stood the test of time and not had to be revised or rewritten – it is the living Word of God. We either acknowledge it as absolute and live in victory or we disregard it as old fashioned and passe` and live defeated in those areas of our life.

“When Jesus had finished these talks to the people, he came to Capernaum, where it happened that there was a man very seriously ill and in fact at the point of death. He was the slave of a centurion who thought very highly of him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him with the request that he would come and save his servant’s life. When they came to Jesus, they urged him strongly to grant this request, saying that the centurion deserved to have this done for him. “He loves our nation and has built us a synagogue out of his own pocket,” they said.
6-8 So Jesus went with them, but as he approached the house, the centurion sent some of his personal friends with the message, “Don’t trouble yourself, sir! I’m not important enough for you to come into my house—I didn’t think I was fit to come to you in person. Just give the order, please, and my servant will recover. I am used to working under orders, and I have soldiers under me. I can say to one, ‘Go’, and he goes, or I can say to another, ‘Come here’, and he comes; or I can say to my slave, ‘Do this job’, and he does it.” 9 These words amazed Jesus and he turned to the crowd who were following behind him, and said, “I have never found faith like this anywhere, even in Israel!”
10 Then those who had been sent by the centurion returned to the house and found the slave perfectly well.” Luke 7:1-10 ERV

Jesus was amazed because this man recognized the authority of His words. The same word of God that had authority all those years ago still has power today.

“But as for me, I will sing of Your strength. Yes, I will sing with joy of Your loving-kindness in the morning. For You have been a strong and safe place for me in times of trouble. 17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to You. For God is my strong place and the God Who shows me loving-kindness.” Psalm 59:16-17 NLV

It’s good to sit and reflect on the power of God’s word. I choose to put my faith in the authority of God’s Word. There is nothing greater!

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The Problems We Face

When I was a kid we would occasionally have the television screen would fill with a test pattern and a voice would come on and say “Do not adjust your set. This is a test of the emergency broadcast system.” There would be a prolonged beep and once that was over programming would resume.

Oh for the days of a blank screen – television, computer, ipad, phone. To have it quiet and drama free. (Except on the days when there’s a NASCAR race on. ;)) But wait…there is a way to do that – we can turn it off!

Turn it off and open God’s Word instead. It is such a great way to counter what’s on the tv or in the paper.

“After we came to Macedonia, we didn’t have any chance to rest. We were faced with all kinds of problems. We were troubled by enemies and troubled by fears. 6 But God cheers up people in need, and that is what he did when he sent Titus to us. 7 Of course, we were glad to see Titus, but what really made us glad is the way you cheered him up. He told how sorry you were and how concerned you were about me. And this made me even happier.”
II Corinthians 7:5-7 CEV

There is so much around us that keeps us from resting – problems, enemies and fear…but God! God cheers up his people in need. We see in these verses that it was comfort in the form of a person, Titus, who encouraged Paul as he was going through some pretty tough stuff.

That comfort can come in the form of a card or letter, a phone call, FaceTime or Skype, a text or an in-person visit. When the Lord brings someone to mind stop and pray for them. Then, if they continue to stay in your thoughts reach out, in some tangible way, and let them know you are thinking of them and that you love them.

It means so much to me when someone calls and says I was just thinking about you and wanted to say hello. The same is true of those text messages and calls that come “just thinking about you”. I don’t know how many times I’ve been talking to someone, just general conversation, and they begin to tell me about something that’s on their heart. It’s an opportunity to empathize, provide a listening ear and an encouraging word. I don’t have to preach a sermon but I can take what’s been shared to the Lord and ask His guidance in their situation.

I will close this blog this morning the same way the Apostle Paul ended his letter to the Christians who were a part of the church at Corinth.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” II Corinthians 13:11 NLT

Let God use you today to encourage those who are going through life’s difficulties. He depends on us to share His love.

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Good Old Days

In today’s world we have better living conditions, better advancements in health care, better education than the generations before us. But we also have more stress, more acts of violence, more fear and less family stability.

In the “good old days” people prayed for rain and the success of their crops, families worked and played together, communities gathered together to help a neighbor in need and children were educated by teachers who prayed and used the Bible as the core curriculum in reading.

Truth was the foundation for society, government and the family.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me. ” John 14:6 ERV

The word “the” is a defining force. Truth isn’t subjective, it’s an absolute. You are either telling the truth or it’s a lie. If you leave facts out to skew the story or sway the outcome, it isn’t truth. Remember the days when people in court had to place their hands on the Bible and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? People swore or affirmed their statement by the Bible because it was and is the only standard of truth that has never changed since it was written.

“The way”. Our life’s is a journey and we can chose the path but when we follow paths of our own making we become distracted, confused and even lost.

“Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! Then you and your children will live. 20 You must love the Lord your God and obey him. Never leave him, because he is your life. And he will give you a long life in the land that he, the Lord, promised to give to your ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ERV

I love that verse. When we choose “the way” and “the truth” we gain life. And when we don’t, we face an enemy who seeks to destroy us and we are without defense.

“Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. 9 I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:8-10 CEV

When Kaci, our youngest, was very little she woke up crying. I got up and took her to the living room to rock her back to sleep. She didn’t want to be there – she strained and leaned in my arms, wanting me to take her to another room. I did and her actions were the same. Wanting to go from the living room to the family room to the kitchen and then the dining room and finally back to the living room.

No matter which room we were in, she wasn’t content. When we arrived back in the living room (only about 10 minutes had past), she snuggled into my chest and fell asleep. I remember saying to her, “This is where we started. I knew this was the best place for you. Why couldn’t you trust me and see that?” And then I heard God speak in my heart and ask me the same question.

“Why don’t you trust Me to know what’s best for you and to have you in the right place?” WOW!

I wish I could say that I never had to learn that lesson again but that wouldn’t be the truth. However, the longer I walk with Him the easier it is for me to see when I am on a path of my own making and not where He wants me.

I encourage you to join me in making “The Way” your choice, committed to “The Truth” and finding “The Life” that is abundant and everlasting!

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