Category: Faithfulness

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There’s Something About a Sunrise

One of the privileges of rising early is seeing some of the most beautiful unobstructed sunrises!

I remember the one pictured here. It was a brisk July morning and we were in the White Mountains of Arizona. We were summer camp hosts at Rainbow Campground, Big Lake. Our campground had been evacuated because of fire danger. All the campers had been moved off the mountain and the hosts had all been moved to one campground where we had the best ingress and egress in case we needed to evacuate quickly.

It was a tense time. Occasionally we would see smoke plumes rising from the mountain tops in the distance. There was no rain. The danger was real. Internet access was spotty. In fact, we would have to drive from the campground to the other side of the lake where the signal was stronger and I could upload my morning blog.

This is the sunrise from one of those mornings. We had driven through a treed area unable to see it until we rounded the bend and there before us, the sky was filled with the glory of God’s sun, rising to meet the day!

Four words come to mind: faithfulness, thankfulness, and everlasting love!

The faithfulness of God that every day He sends a sunrise and a sunset. It proves His power and majesty. Thankfulness – that in all of creation He knows my name and takes notice of me. Everlasting love – not an emotional “fall in/fall out” of love but an everlasting love. A love that never ends.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.

4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
5 Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
8 the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
9 and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever...

23 He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever.
24 He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136 NLT

Are you feeling unloved – lost in your struggle? His faithful love endures forever!

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” I Corinthians 13:7 NLT

Needing answers and there seem to be none? His faithful love endures forever!

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13 NLT

As long as there is a sunrise, it will be a reminder that God’s love will last forever!!

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Faithful to His Word

God’s faithfulness is almost beyond comprehension.

I just want to take a few more moments to dwell on God’s promises that never fail because God cannot lie.

They will remain forever. We live in a world where broken promises, contracts with escape clauses, “do overs” and even the proverbial “I was just kidding” prevail. BUT GOD! said “heaven and earth will pass away but My word will never pass away”.

“The LORD is our God. He rules the whole world. 8 He will remember his agreement forever. He will always keep the promises he made to his people.” Psalm 105:7-8 ERV

“Your kingdom is built on truth and justice. Love and faithfulness are servants before your throne. 15 LORD, your loyal followers are happy. They live in the light of your kindness. 16 Your name always makes them happy. They praise your goodness. 17 You are their amazing strength. Their power comes from you.” Psalm 89:14-17 ERV

“All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. 11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power. 12 They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign. 13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.” Psalm 145:10-13 NLT

The Bible isn’t just words on a page. They convey the very heart of God Almighty!

These words have stood the test of time because they come from the eternal God who was, who is and is to come. They are an edict written in blood. They are not a law that can be vetoed or rescinded by a governing body. They are for everlasting.

Have you ever seen the movie “A Knight’s Tale”? It came out in 2001. The story of a young servant who took the place of his deceased master in medieval games of sport to prove who was the best knight.

The problem was his lineage. He was a commoner and if found out, he could be killed for his impersonation of royalty. Now, to the final scene. He is arrested and taken to the guillotine. A man steps from the crowd revealing his true identity. He is Prince Edward and proclaims that William truly is a royal. He ends his speech with this statement: “This is my word… and, as such, is beyond contestation “.

That statement has stuck with me all these years. I can hear those words coming from the lips of our heavenly Father and of Jesus, my Savior.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.” John 14:10-11 NLT

Let your strength and joy come from knowing that God’s promises to you are secure and can be trusted. He loves you and will not leave you without hope or without help!

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Filled with Promise

Keeping our focus on the Lord’s faithfulness will keep us from being discouraged and depressed.

When Israel faced overwhelming threats and attacks they could confidently call on the Lord for their deliverance. They knew they had a “covenant” with Almighty God. God had promised to be their GOD and to fight for them, to stand with them, to be their protection and their source of supply. As long as they walked in obedience to God’s word all these blessings were theirs.

Remember when Moses told the Israelites that God had set before them life and death, blessing and cursing? Then Moses said choose life.

It was their choice to be a nation of blessed, victorious people. David knew this when he volunteered to fight Goliath – David’s comment, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?” Circumcision was a physical sign to the Jewish people that God had made covenant with Abraham and all of his descendants.

You and I are Gentiles but we too have a covenant. The writer of Hebrews said we have a new covenant with better promises because we have chosen to follow Christ.

“But the work that has been given to Jesus is much greater than the work that was given to those priests. In the same way, the new agreement that Jesus brought from God to his people is much greater than the old one. And the new agreement is based on better promises. 7 If there was nothing wrong with the first agreement, then there would be no need for a second agreement.” Hebrews 8:6-7 ERV

“In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”I Corinthians 11:25 NLT

God the Father is faithful and He made this new covenant for us with Jesus. Neither one of them will fail! Their covenant with us with not fail!

“For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.” Galatians 3:26-29 NLT

When God gave a new covenant of better promises, it wasn’t just for the Jewish people, it was for all of us who are in Christ.

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

This is what the Lord was reminding me of when I heard the instruction to “Be Still”. Not just be still, but “Be Still and Know that I am God”.

He was reminding me that He has filled my life with promises and He will not break His word!

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Hush Now!

I couldn’t sleep on Friday night and I was up at 2 a.m. praying.

Those of you who have been reading my blog for any length of time know that this is something that happens occasionally. I find it is one of the best ways to go back to sleep, praying for those I love.

But this particular time, my prayers were more intense. If I’m honest, I found myself doing some complaining and questioning why I haven’t seen a change in a couple of situations. The Lord let me prattle on for a few more minutes and then very distinctly I heard, “Hush now. Be still”.

Those words weren’t harsh or rude. They were comforting, corrective, calm and reassuring. Like the words of a parent who has picked up a crying child to comfort them, these words touched my heart.

And then the Scripture verses that I have committed to memory over the years came flooding in.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 NKJV

“Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3 NKJV

And then, in my heart the Lord took me back to that quiet place, the place I love to camp out.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” Psalm 23:1-3 NLT

“My soul is quiet and waits for God alone. He is the One Who saves me. 2 He alone is my rock and the One Who saves me. He is my strong place. I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 NLV

Now, unless you think I’m going through some great trial – it’s not that at all. There are just some things I have given to the Lord in prayer that I still haven’t seen answers to yet. I’ve gotten a little impatient in the waiting.

“I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NLV

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

I’d like to encourage you. If you hear the Lord hush you – telling you to be still, I want you to remember the rest of that verse. Be still AND know that I AM GOD! Go to a green pasture and rest while God does what only God can do.

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Start the Day Right

A new month, a new day but our Father is always the same!

His love is everlasting, His faithfulness endures to a thousand generations, His peace bypasses all our understanding and His promises never fail!

Start the day knowing that you are blessed and you have angels around you to protect and help you today.

“This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear (reverence) Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him” Psalm 34:6-8

“But I will sing about your strength. I will rejoice in your love every morning. You have been my place of safety, the place I can run to when troubles come. 17 I will sing praises to you, my source of strength. You, God, are my place of safety. You are the God who loves me!” Psalm 59:16-17 ERV

“ We pray that the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father will comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. God loved us and gave us through his grace a wonderful hope and comfort that has no end.” II Thessalonians 2:16-17 ERV

“Praise the Lord because he is good! His faithful love will last forever!” Psalm 118:1 ERV

“My soul, praise the Lord and never forget how kind he is! 3 He forgives all our sins and heals all our sicknesses. 4 He saves us from the grave, and he gives us love and compassion…But the Lord has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever!” Psalm 103:2-4, 17 ERV

“I will sing forever about the Lord’s love. I will sing about his faithfulness forever and ever!
2 I will say, ‘Your faithful love will last forever. Your loyalty is like the sky—there is no end to it!” Psalm 89:1-2 ERV

I don’t know about you, but I think this is a great way to start the day and the month, focusing on the eternal, unfailing, everlasting love of God!

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Sweet Fragrance of Jesus

I recently became acquainted with a lady named Sarah. Her mother is a dear friend and although Sarah has been to visit a number of times in the last few years, I only met her on her visit in August.

Sarah has a cottage business, Farm Gal Soaps. She makes some wonderful products. The candles she made recently are the best candles I have ever found. Their fragrance fills the room whether they are lit or not. The sweet aroma is welcoming and comforting.

That’s why I thought of them when I read this verse this morning.

“Now thanks be to God, who always leads us to triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” II Corinthians 2:14

God desires for you to be triumphant today. He has provided a way for you to ALWAYS be victorious. When you do triumph and give Him the glory, it’s like the smell of a sweet perfume or a wonderful scented candle.

Some folks ask “What’s that smell (i.e. how did you come out of that victorious), and you can say, “Oh, it was God. He is the one who gives me the victory.”

Here’s to victory today – spread the sweet aroma of God’s love!

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Always There!

I started my morning reading in the book of Nehemiah. It’s a little book in the Old Testament and deals with the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem by those Jews who had been released from exile in Babylonia.

What could we possible learn from them? Right? We learn of Almighty God’s unfailing faithfulness!

“But when they were at peace, they would turn against you, and you would hand them over to their enemies. Then they would beg for help, and because you are merciful, you rescued them over and over again.” Nehemiah 9:28 CEV

In that chapter, Nehemiah repeats about 4 times how God was faithful to rescue the Israelites over and over again, Because He was Merciful!

Have you ever felt abandon? Becoming desperate in your search and almost hopeless. Then in your desperation you cry out for help.

You hear someone speak but you don’t really hear his voice until he calls you by name. “Kristi” and no one says my name like Jesus! There He is, coming to my aid. because He is merciful.

The is the story of Mary in John 20. She ran to the tomb in the Garden on the first day of the week so she could properly prepare His body. The tomb was empty, so she went back to tell the disciples that Jesus’ body was gone. They all came running and when they found the tomb empty they all left but Mary.

She stayed looking for Jesus, instead she found the angels who wanted to know why she was so upset. She told them she was looking for her Lord and wanted to know who had taken him away.

Then she saw someone she thought was the gardener and asked him if He had taken Jesus body. She didn’t recognize him as Jesus until He spoke her name – as he said her name “Mary” – she knew Him immediately.

“Jesus asked her, ‘Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?’ She thought he was the gardener and said, ‘Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.’ 16 Then Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him, ‘Rabboni.’ The Aramaic word Rabboni means “Teacher.” John 20:15-16 ERV

Two different scenarios. One, a people who rebelled against God time and again. Doing their own thing, making their own gods and serving their own desires and pleasures. The other had her Lord, whom she loved, murdered and now His body had been “stolen”.

In desperation both called out for help. The Israelites found deliverance and forgiveness and Mary found her Lord and consolation. There is no circumstance or situation that God will ignore and abandon us. He is always faithful.

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

In your desperate search, take time to listen for His voice. He is there and He will always be there. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you and He never will.

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This Is the Day

So many different readers in different time zones so some of you have been up for quite a while. Some of you are energetic and ready to charge into the day or already have. Others are enjoying a quiet morning.

When I got up, I said “Lord, I’m waking up tired. I have You and my coffee and that’s a good start to any day”.

“Lord, I thank you for answering my prayer. I thank you for saving me…24 This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be happy today! 25 The people say, “Praise the Lord! The Lord saved us!” Psalm 118:21-25 ERV

This is a day to praise the Lord. There is never a day that the Lord isn’t with us. He is here to give us strength when we feel weak, to share in our joy filled moments, to calm our fears and to give us a reason to praise.

“ I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. 13 Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:12-13 ERV

Take time in prayer to tell the Lord what is most important to you and what is most concerning. Let Him handle your cares and you go about the day thanking Him for all He’s done, is doing and will do.

“Lord, I know you will do what you have promised.  Lord, your faithful love will last forever.
You are the one who made us, so don’t leave us!” Psalm 138:8 ERV

This is the day the Lord has made – REJOICE!

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Encourage One Another

Another morning up before the dawn but one thing is for certain dawn will come. God set in motion the rotation of the earth around the sun. The sunrise will start each morning and the sunset will close each day.

Tides will ebb and flow. Fall follows summer and then comes winter and the new life of spring. All are part of the Father’s grand design.

And each morning brings a new opportunity to be encouraged in God’s word.

“We must hold on to the hope we have, never hesitating to tell people about it. We can trust God to do what he promised. 24 We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works.” Hebrews 10:23-24 ERV

“ So when God wanted to prove for certain his promise to his people could not be broken, he made a vow. 18 God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19  This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls…” Hebrews 6:17-19 ERV

Years ago I used to sing a song written by John W Peterson, It Took a Miracle.

“My Father is omnipotent

And that you can’t deny

A God of might and miracles

It’s written in the sky.

It took a miracle to put the stars in place

It took a miracle to hang the world in space

But when He saved my soul cleansed and made me whole

It took a miracle of love and grace.”

The greatest miracle of all is the Father’s amazing love extended to each and everyone of us. His plan for our new birth – restoration full and complete.

I certainly enjoy the proofs that He gives us each day to let us know He’s still here, still reaching out, still loving. His love never fails and we see that in the consistancy of His creation.

“Our Lord, you are King! Majesty and power are your royal robes. You put the world in place, and it will never be moved. 2 You have always ruled, and you are eternal. 3 The ocean is roaring, Lord! The sea is pounding hard. 4 Its mighty waves are majestic, but you are more majestic, and you rule over all. 5 Your decisions are firm, and your temple will always be beautiful and holy.” Psalm 93

God’s promises are certain. Nature is proof of that. He cannot lie. He will not break His word!

His word gives hope and that hope encourages us and holds us steady in life’s storms, just like an anchor. Then we are instructed to encourage others who appear to have no hope.

We can point them to the One who never fails, who never gives up, whose love is everlasting and who is faithful to a thousand generations. Yes, let’s encourage one another with God’s word!

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Fall for Jesus

I love this time of year. Autumn, Fall, Harvest. It’s great!

Instead of focusing on the “scary” things, we can enjoy the rich harvest that God has produced in our lives.

Many have been haunted by their pasts and it can leave them paralyzed to face the future. We have all done things that if brought to light would either embarrass us greatly or ruin our reputation and cause close friends and family to walk away from us.

But that is the fear that the Lord came to free us from.

“But now [in spite of past judgments for Israel’s sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” Isaiah 43:1-3a AMP

Do you see the first line of these verses, “in spite of past judgements for sins”?

The Lord redeems us from our past and gives us hope for the future! He knows all that we have done and are going to do and He loves us! He wants us to stay close to Him so that He can be our constant source of peace and joy. He wants us to keep our thoughts so focused on Him so that we can’t be plagued by our past. Now that’s freedom!

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.4 So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah you have a place of safety forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

When we fall at the feet of Jesus, we are washed of our sins and enjoy a harvest of His unconditional love and forgiveness.

“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.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

“You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

“16 “This is the agreement I will make with my people in the future, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts. I will write my laws in their minds.” 17 Then he says, ‘I will forget their sins and never again remember the evil they have done.’ 18 And after everything is forgiven, there is no more need for a sacrifice to pay for sins.” Hebrews 10:16-18 ERV

Our heavenly Father doesn’t like people trash talking His kids! Everything is forgiven.

When we fall in love with Jesus, He gives us an abundant life!

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