Category: Faithfulness

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God on the Mountain

I was reading the story of the king of Syria attacking the king of Israel this morning. It touched a chord in my heart.

Benhadad, the Syrian king, led his armies in an attack of Ahad, the king of Israel, on mountain terrain. The smaller army of Ahad defeated the Syrian army. The prophet of God, went to Ahab after the battle and told him that Benhadad would attack him again in the Spring, so he needed to be prepared.

This is what Benhadad’s advisors had told him.

“Meanwhile, Benhadad’s officials went to him and explained: Israel’s gods are mountain gods. We fought Israel’s army in the hills, and that’s why they defeated us. But if we fight them on flat land, there’s no way we can lose.” I Kings 20:23 CEV

This is what the prophet of God told Ahab.

“The Israelites also prepared to fight. They marched out to meet the Syrians, and the two armies camped across from each other. The Syrians covered the whole area, but the Israelites looked like two little flocks of goats.

28 The prophet went to Ahab and said, ‘The Syrians think the Lord is a god of the hills and not of the valleys. So he has promised to help you defeat their powerful army. Then you will know that the Lord is in control.’”

Sometimes we are like Benhadad’s army. We see God as being limited to a particular situation or circumstance in our lives. We think, “Yes, God did this but hey, this is a big ask and I’m not sure that I can trust God in this situation.”

I’m here to tell you that our God on the mountain is also our God in the valley. He is faithful, trustworthy, always there – even in the presence of our enemies.

“I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me,
and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows.” Psalm 23:4-5 CEV

God is faithful. His promise to never leave us or abandon us holds true no matter where we are!

There’s a song that really has an impact on my life every time I hear it. I hope you will follow this link and listen to it today. But just in case you don’t, let these words encourage your heart. “God on the Mountain” by Linda Randel

“Life is easy, when you’re up on the mountain
And you’ve got peace of mind, like you’ve never known
But things change, when you’re down in the valley
Don’t lose faith, for you’re never alone

For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, He’ll make them right
And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times
The God of the day, is still God in the night

You talk of faith when you’re up on the mountain
But talk comes so easy, when life’s at its best
Now it’s down in the valley of trials and temptations
That’s where your faith is really put to the test

For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, He’ll make them right
And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times
The God of the day, is still God in the night
The God of the day, is still God in the night”

No matter where you are today, God is right there with you!

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Like A Child

I love it when the Lord uses my grandchildren to remind me of His faithfulness.

Our grandson had his tonsils and adenoids removed on Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday morning, I woke to find a message from his younger sister. It read: “Please prey for Sam he don’t feel good”.

It made me chuckle, I stopped and prayed. I felt blessed to know that my grandchildren, younger and older, know that they can ask me to pray for them when there are things in life that don’t make them feel so good.

“Some people brought their small children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them to bless them. But when the followers saw this, they told the people not to do this. 16 But Jesus called the little children to him and said to his followers, ‘Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these little children. 17 The truth is, you must accept God’s kingdom like a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it.‘” Luke 18:15-17 ERV

What a blessing – childlike faith!

Children have a simple faith. They trust us because they know we love them and we wouldn’t intentionally let anything harm them. We teach them about Jesus so they can trust His love and know that they are never alone. Their first response becomes we need to pray.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:7-11 NLT

Our heavenly Father is much more faithful in providing for us and our children than we will ever be. I recently found this quote on teaching our children (and grandchildren) to pray. “Teaching children to pray is a wonderful way to introduce them to a lifelong conversation with God.”

“Remember these commands I give you. Keep them in your hearts. Write them down… 19 Teach these laws to your children. Talk about these things when you sit in your houses, when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. 20 Write these commands on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates. 21 Then both you and your children will live a long time in the land that the Lord promised to give to your ancestors. You will live there as long as the skies are above the earth.

22 “Be careful to obey every command I have told you to follow: Love the Lord your God, follow all his ways, and be faithful to him.” Deuteronomy 11:18-22 ERV

Childlike faith.

If God makes a promise, He will not lie! We can trust Him. Now that’s something to be thankful for!!

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Filled With Blessings

Here we are just a few days before Thanksgiving and other than the grocery store commercials not a lot is being said about this day that was set aside for giving thanks.

Our hearts should be overflowing with thankfulness.

God has been gracious and kind. There may have been disappointments and even heart aches in the last year but God remains faithful and trustworthy.

He continues to bring blessings and benefits into our lives. He loads us up with blessings!

” Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow [a]cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. 18 It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes].

19 Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; ” James 1:16-19 AMP

He is the giver of every good and perfect gift and He does not change. We need to listen more and murmur less. This will definitely bring us closer to thankful hearts.

“We praise you, Lord God! You treat us with kindness day after day, and you rescue us. 20 You always protect us and save us from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 CEV

One translation of this verse says ” Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”

Daily, He loads us up with benefits…Selah (stop and think).

“My soul, praise the Lord! Every part of me, praise his holy name! 2 My soul, praise the Lord  and never forget how kind he is! 3 He forgives all our sins and heals all our sicknesses.” Psalm 103:1-3 ERV

Today as you get ready to go about your day Stop and Think about the ways the Lord has been good to you. I guarantee it will make you thankful!

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Beginning Forever

When did forever begin? Maybe that’s a little deeper thought than you want to begin the day with but it’s important to ponder.

It’s the foundation and basis of our faith.

“In the beginning God” Genesis 1:1 and “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God”. John 1:1

Forever began in the eternal existence of God and will continue with no end.

“ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 ERV

We are living in God’s forever plan. It didn’t start the day we were born, it has always been. Remember, at few days back when I wrote about God choosing us before the foundation of the world”?

Forever began in God’s heart at that time. His purpose and plans were put into effect.

“The Lord is our God. He rules the whole world. 15 Remember his agreement forever, the promise he gave that will never end.” I Chronicles 16:14-15 ERV

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change.
If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

The Lord doesn’t want us chasing after things that change. The things this world offers are fickled. They change. There values increase and decrease, they can’t be trusted to stand the test of time.

‘”Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said,

‘I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.’

6 So we can feel sure and say,

‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. People can do nothing to me.’

7 Remember your leaders. They taught God’s message to you. Remember how they lived and died, and copy their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Don’t let all kinds of strange teachings lead you into the wrong way. Depend only on God’s grace for spiritual strength, not on rules about foods. Obeying those rules doesn’t help anyone.” Hebrews 13:5-9 ERV

We are living in the “forever” of God. His plans and promises have not changed. The purpose of God has always been the same.

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

If you haven’t realized it before, today begins your forever. Your forever of living in God’s promises, your forever of living in God’s peace, your forever of being called His child, the beginning of your eternal life.

“ Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV

Today, is the beginning of forever in His love!

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Be Like Jesus

I heard tell of a man who lived in AZ. He was out driving on the I-10 down Tucson way and he ran out of gas. He came to a stop on the shoulder of the road and right in front of him was this big billboard

NEED HELP

CALL JESUS

800-XXX-5555

In sheer desperation the man got out his cell phone and called the number. In 10 minutes, a 1950’s Chevy pickup showed up and out stepped a Mexican man with two 5 gallon gas cans, his name was Jesus!

Now that man was a neighbor. A good neighbor! He came to help in time of need.

“Then the king will say to the godly people on his right, ‘Come, my Father has great blessings for you. The kingdom he promised is now yours. It has been prepared for you since the world was made. 35 It is yours because when I was hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you welcomed me into your home. 36 When I was without clothes, you gave me something to wear. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was in prison, you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the godly people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’

40 “Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’” Matthew 25:34-40 ERV

Since Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength and then to love your neighbor as yourself, we need to be ready to answer when we hear a call for help.

We don’t go in our own strength but in the love and the strength that God has placed within us. And we do it with a thankful heart. Thanking God that He has placed confidence in us that we will do the right thing and that we will respond in a timely manner – that we will be good ambassadors of Christ.

Let me ask this; if Jesus made a billboard and it said “NEED HELP” could He put our cell number at the bottom?

Jesus use us today to be the answer to someone’s call!

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Good Fruit

Dave and I made a quick trip for groceries yesterday morning. We had placed our order on-line, but I forgot a few things, so I ran in to get them while he collected our order.

I was on my way to the register when a grape display caught my eye. A few weeks back we had purchased a large container of red grapes, they were so crisp and tasty I wanted to get another one.

Good fruit!

This morning, I’m thinking about the good fruit that God produces in our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faith.

I was a Christian for a lot of years but had no peace. Worry was a big part of who I was. I worked hard to find peace. Occasionally I would find small moments of it but for the most part peace eluded me.

Peace isn’t the absence of conflict or struggles; instead, it is a clear focus while in the turmoil. Like King David says in Psalm 91:

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful. 2 Then you will say to the Lord, ‘You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.‘ 3 The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. 4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. 5 You won’t need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. 6 And you won’t fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon.” Psalm 91:1-6 CEV

True peace, peace that comes from God, isn’t something we “work” to get. It is a natural outgrow of being attached to Jesus the living vine.

“ I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. 6 If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire. 7 Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered.” John 15:5-7 CEV

Jesus told his disciples that He was the vine, we are the branches and if we abide (stay joined) in Him we will bear fruit. Peace is some of the fruit that will grow while abiding in Him.

Producing fruit is a natural result for a healthy plant. Water, sunshine, good soil and a strong stock produce good fruit. Good ground (a prepared heart), the Living Water, the Vine and the Son.

“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.” Galatians 5:22-24 AMP

I bring my heart to Christ. I let Jesus cultivate the soil and I become grafted to His vine. He bears the fruit through me.

Focus on the Vine today and good fruit will come!

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Basket of Blessings

Thanking the Father for his love and protection today.

If you drive safely to work and home each day, be thankful. If your children arrive home from school each day be thankful. If you have enough money in your purse for groceries, be thankful. If your house is warm and your clothes are adequate, be thankful!

The cornucopia is also called a horn of plenty. It was a basket filled with the richness of the harvest. It was a reminder of the blessings of the year. I used to have one on my dining table every year, it reminded me to be thankful for so many things.

Living in a tiny house there is no dining table and no horn of plenty, but the gratitude is greater than ever. So much to be thankful for, so many blessings. This is the 14th day of November, I hope you have been adding something each day to the list of things you are grateful for.

Here are a few things from Scripture that you can add to the list:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever. 2 Let Israel say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.”

5 I cried to the Lord in my trouble, and He answered me and put me in a good place. 6 The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid of what man can do to me. 7 The Lord is with me. He is my Helper. I will watch those lose who fight against me. 8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in rulers.” Psalm 118:1-9 NLV

Build a basket of blessings.

“ You must take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you gather from the land the Lord your God gives you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to have His name.” Deuteronomy 26:2 NLV

A blessing basket can be filled with notes of times you know the Lord provided and protected. It can have pictures of those you love and special memories of when you felt the love and goodness of God in your life and to your family.

Share the notes and memories around your table.

“I pray that you will be giving thanks to the Father. He has made it so you could share the good things given to those who belong to Christ who are in the light. 13 God took us out of a life of darkness. He has put us in the holy nation of His much-loved Son.” Colossians 1:12-13 NLV

“I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart. I will tell of all the great things You have done. 2 I will be glad and full of joy because of You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2 NLV

Blessed to be a blessing! May your basket of blessings be full and overflowing!

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10,000 to 1

As I lay in bed last night, waiting for sleep to come, I was reminded of a precious thought from my college days.

One of our chapel speakers was Dale Evans Rogers. Just to refresh your memory, she was married to Roy Rogers. She talked of some of the hardships she had faced in life and how her faith in the Lord carried her through. She talked of the fame she and Roy shared and all the adoring fans but she said in the rough times it wasn’t the fame that comforted them, it was the “One” where they found strength.

That was a pivotal moment for me. I walked out of chapel realizing if I never married, never had a family, never had friends other than Christ, my life would be complete. The others would just be added blessings but my person, who I was made to be, didn’t come from others it came only from Jesus.

10,000 to 1.

Jesus was followed by crowds. He fed the 5,000 men plus their families with 5 loaves and 2 fish. He had twelve men who were called His apostles. He planted the truths of God’s word into their hearts, daily. He had three apostles who were closest to Him – Peter, James and John. They were with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, they were with Him in the garden but when the soldiers came, they fled.

Then there was the one. When Jesus looked down from the cross, He saw John standing with His mother. He was John the Beloved.

Holiday times can bring on a touch of melancholy. Remembering old friends, loved ones who have passed and favorite “good times”. If we aren’t careful, those memories could lead to depression and depression robs us of our gratitude for what we have.

Looking back should make us grateful for all the wonderful blessings and joys we have had, for the daily expressions of God’s love that we experience. Afterall, when He is our One, we are complete.

“ What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?” Romans 8:31 CEV

God the Father has made us His one.

“…Mary, who sat down in front of the Lord and was listening to what he said. 40 Martha was worried about all that had to be done…41 The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, 42 but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 CEV

He wants our lives to be God-focused, so the worries, distractions and busy-ness of life don’t separate us from our commitment to Him. Jesus final prayer before dying was this.

“I pray not only for these followers but also for those who will believe in me because of their teaching. 21 Father, I pray that all who believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that they can also be one in us… so that they can be one, just as you and I are one. 23 I will be in them, and you will be in me. So they will be completely one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you loved them just as you loved me.” John 17:20-23 ERV

“ I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

We are complete in Christ. We go from being the 10,000 to being the 1!

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Prepare Your Heart

Thanksgiving is coming soon and there is so much preparation still to be done.

I’m one of those who try to image myself being in the moment; I try to see what it must have been like to be with Noah on the ark, standing on the bank of the Red Sea when it parted, being with the shepherds when the angels announced Jesus birth, standing at the foot of the cross during the crucifixion.

I have also imagined what it must have been like at that first Thanksgiving.

These people had faced devastating trials during the first year in the new world. Peril by crossing the sea that cost so many lives, disease, malnutrition, harsh weather conditions, lack of knowledge of their surroundings and perils from the inhabitants of this land. They gave all they had to make this new world their home – some lost their spouses and children to death, heartbroken they had to continue to press on or die themselves. They had to build shelters and plant gardens. Their survival that first year was truly a time to give thanks! It was an expression of their very lives to stop and thank Him for His provision and protection one year later.

“Father, you so graciously brought those pilgrims through a year of hardship and struggle in this new land. They came with a desire to worship freely and seeking to build a land where men were equal. They willingly faced the perils of sea and land; weather and wild but they persevered with Your help and the help of their new found allies. Our hearts are grateful that because of their sacrifice we are able to call this land home.

We are also grateful that because of the sacrifice of Jesus we can call heaven home and spend eternity in Your presence. We are dependent on You and Your direction for our lives. As those early settlers that came to Plymouth Rock. We come to our Rock, the solid rock, Christ Jesus and in Him we find life.

Our desire is to let the light of Jesus shine from us so brightly that the world may see Your great love. This is our prayer to You, in Jesus name.”

The Apostle Paul desired that the light of the gospel shine through him and through us.

“We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants. 6 The Scriptures say, ‘God commanded light to shine in the dark.’ Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. 7 We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. 8 We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. 9 In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11 We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us. 12 This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you.” II Corinthians 4:5-12 CEV

Paul experienced the death of his daily needs and desires – comfort, security, safety, freedom; so that he could bring the message of new life in Christ to the world. As we finish our preparations for time with family and friends, let’s remember to do the same.

When we’re tired, hungry, inconvenienced by long lines and irritable people, let’s let the light of Jesus shine through us to bring the power of God to others. In us, the light of God is wanting to shine for all the world to see!

Embraced the season with A Prepared Heart!

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Opportunity for Praise

Dave and I are getting ready to head out for a ride in the desert this morning. After the rains late in September the desert is green and lush.

My opportunity for praise comes from the fact that I won’t be riding a camel or crossing the Sahara. I praise the Lord for our comfy Jeep, dirt roads and the cool morning air.

Does that seem silly to you? To praise God for those insignificant things? Praise is the expression of appreciation, and I appreciate all the Lord has made and done, large and small. But mostly I praise Him for His love that endures forever.

Praising God for his goodness and love!

The sun came up, the birds are singing and God is still on the throne. I will praise Him for all eternity!

“Praise the Lord because he is good. His faithful love will last forever. 2 Praise the God of gods! His faithful love will last forever. 3 Praise the Lord of lords! His faithful love will last forever. 4 Praise him who alone does wonderful miracles! His faithful love will last forever.5 Praise the one who used wisdom to make the skies! His faithful love will last forever.

6 He spread the land over the sea. His faithful love will last forever. 7 He made the great lights. His faithful love will last forever. 8 He made the sun to rule the day. His faithful love will last forever. 9 He made the moon and stars to rule the night. His faithful love will last forever…

23 He remembered us when we were defeated. His faithful love will last forever. 24 He saved us from our enemies. His faithful love will last forever. 25 He provides food for all living things. His faithful love will last forever. 26 Praise the God of heaven! His faithful love will last forever.” Psalm 136 ERV

Be grateful! Each and every day is proof that God’s faithful love endures forever!!

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