Category: Faithfulness

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The Father’s Love

Today is the day we celebrate fathers; it’s also a day to celebrate our heavenly Father.

“His love for his followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth. 12 And he has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children.” Psalm 103:11-13 ERV

I know that we all come from different backgrounds and walks of life. However, varied that may be we all have the same, loving, heavenly Father.

It was such a pleasant surprise to begin in Psalms this morning and read these words:

“I offer you my heart, Lord God, 2  and I trust you. Don’t make me ashamed or let enemies defeat me. 3 Don’t disappoint any of your worshipers, but disappoint all deceitful liars.
4 Show me your paths and teach me to follow; 5 guide me by your truth and instruct me.
You keep me safe, and I always trust you.

6 Please, Lord, remember, you have always been patient and kind. 7 Forget each wrong I did
when I was young. Show how truly kind you are and remember me. 8 You are honest and merciful, and you teach sinners how to follow your path. 9 You lead humble people to do what is right and to stay on your path. 10 In everything you do, you are kind and faithful
to everyone who keeps our agreement with you.” Psalm 25:1-10 CEV

Once again the Bible points out that our Father is trustworthy and He will lead, guide and instruct us in the ways of life. He is kind and faithful. We just need to follow His lead.

He is forgiving, merciful, full of grace. He is good!

This morning I would like to end with these words of Jesus. This is the ending of His final prayer in the Garden before He was arrested and taken to be crucified. This was His prayer for us.

“Good Father, the people of this world don’t know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. 26 I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.” John 17:25-26 CEV

Jesus wants us to know what our heavenly Father is like; He wants us to know the Father’s love in the same depth that He knows the Father.

May I encourage you as you reflect on some of your favorite times with your father today that you also take some time to reflect on the greatness of our heavenly Father’s love. He is worthy of our devotion.

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Source of Power

Dave and I recently went on a train ride through the Red Rock area of Arizona. It was truly a pleasant and relaxing experience. This morning, I was reminded of the logistics of the ride and how it ties in with the last few days’ teaching on following the leader.

Our train had two engines that pull the quarter-mile length of train down the tracks. When we reached our end point the engines decoupled from the rest of the cars. They pulled onto a siding and once on another set of tracks, came alongside the cars we were sitting in and coupled themselves to what had been the caboose.

The caboose had no power to pull this train, it needed the strength, the horse-power of the engines.

In our walk with Christ, we need to determine our source of power and strength and let HIM lead. Just like the rich young ruler, we won’t be really following unless we are willing to give up everything and go for it!

“Jesus replied, ‘If you want to be perfect, go sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower.’ 22 When the young man heard this, he was sad, because he was very rich. 23 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘It’s terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of heaven! 24 In fact, it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God’s kingdom.’

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised and asked, ‘How can anyone ever be saved?’ 26 Jesus looked straight at them and said, ‘There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.’

27 Peter replied, ‘Remember, we have left everything to be your followers! What will we get?’ 28 Jesus answered: “Yes, all of you have become my followers. And so in the future world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, I promise that you will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 All who have given up home or brothers and sisters or father and mother or children or land for me will be given a hundred times as much. They will also have eternal life. 30 But many who are now first will be last, and many who are last will be first.’” Matthew 19:21-30 ERV

Jesus wasn’t saying that you can’t have money or riches and be a dedicated Christian. These were successful businessmen who Jesus was talking too. Peter and Andrew had a fleet of fishing boats; James and John were the CEO and COO of their father’s fishing business and Matthew had been a director at the regional IRS office. They were shocked when Jesus made comment that it is hard for rich men to enter the kingdom.

Jesus quickly responded to their question and said that with God all things are possible. If a man is trusting in his riches, his trust is misplaced but when a rich man trusts God – all things are possible.

Peter reminds the Lord – we left everything to follow you. They weren’t seeking their own advancement any longer, they were following Jesus. They weren’t seeking their own success, but they were advancing God’s kingdom. The difference between the disciples and the rich young ruler who had just left was an attitude of the heart.

Jesus went on to point out that although they had given up everything they had to follow him, they had gained eternal life and that they also would receive 100x as much as they had given. Didn’t Jesus promise that He came to give us life and life more abundantly?

Following Jesus never results in a lost of power. Just the opposite. We become connected to the source of life and power comes from Him.

We operate best when we are coupled to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

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Ready to Lead?

When we follow the Lord there will be a time and place that He calls on us to lead. It may be a Sunday School class, a study group, a section leader, an administrator, a city, a nation or a family.

God is always looking for faithful people who have a heart for Him. He had Noah “lead” all the animals on to the ark. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. A shepherd boy named David was God’s chosen leader of the nation of Israel. The apostles were sent by Jesus to lead the world to salvation.

Each one of us has a purpose, designed by God to lead in some particular way.

This morning, I want to focus on Moses. He was a reluctant leader. He had all sorts of excuses when God first called him from the burning bush. However, he was obedient and led them out of the bondage they experienced to the Promised Land.

The Israelites weren’t always willing followers. They were often times rebellious trying Moses’ patience and God’s. The whole time that Moses was leading the people he was also following God.

Good leaders are good followers!

“God replied, “I will be with you. And you will know that I am the one who sent you, when you worship me on this mountain after you have led my people out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:12 CEV

Moses led the people by following God’s cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.

“Because of your great mercy, you never abandoned them in the desert. And you always guided them with a cloud by day and a fire at night.” Nehemiah 9:19 CEV

Moses was faithful in seeking God’s direction.

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘I know that you have told me to lead these people to the land you promised them. But you have not said who will go along to help me. You have said that you are my friend and that you are pleased with me. 13 If this is true, let me know what your plans are, then I can obey and continue to please you. And don’t forget that you have chosen this nation to be your own.’

14 The Lord said, ‘I will go with you and give you peace.’

15 Then Moses replied, ‘If you aren’t going with us, please don’t make us leave this place. 16 But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth.'” Exodus 33:12-16 CEV

When God puts us in a place of leadership, we need to have the same mindset that Moses had. “If You don’t go with us, then I’m not going”. When the Lord goes with us, we will have His peace. We can trust His leading.

The Apostle Paul started out as a persecutor of Christians but when God turned his life around he became the leader of churches worldwide.

“ But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life. 17 I pray that honor and glory will always be given to the only God, who lives forever and is the invisible and eternal King! Amen.” I Timothy1:16-17 CEV

We serve and follow the same eternal, invisible, Almighty God. He will direct our steps. When He asks we need to be ready to lead.

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Lead On

May I ask? Were you a good follower yesterday or did you try to jump out and take the lead? Were there decisions you made that left you feeling uneasy, even anxious?

If so, I have good news for you.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd.
    I will never be in need.
2 You let me rest in fields
    of green grass.
You lead me to streams
of peaceful water,
3     and you refresh my life.

You are true to your name,
and you lead me
    along the right paths.
4 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.
6 Your kindness and love
will always be with me
    each day of my life,
and I will live forever
    in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23

One of the most famous passages in the Bible starts with us being led to a good place and ends with us being followed by goodness and mercy. Goodness and mercy, kindness and love, are two characteristics that always, always, follow when the Shepherd leads.

Our good Shepherd will lead us to a place of safety and protection. His desire is to keep us in a place where He provides rest, refreshing, and restoration.

Jesus said:

“Listen to me. A time is coming when you will be scattered, each to his own home. In fact, that time is already here. You will leave me, and I will be alone. But I am never really alone, because the Father is with me. 33 ‘I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!'” John 16:32-33 ERV

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

Those words above were spoken by Jesus while He was here on earth, involved in the day-to-day business of living life and being involved in the lives of the ordinary person. Jesus warned of enemies and troubling situations, but He also gave the reassurance that He has defeated them all.

King David addressed the issue of danger in Psalm 23. The valley of the shadow of death, enemies looking on and surprise attacks.

We can walk through life-threatening situations and be fearless because our Shepherd is there with His rod. That rod is used to drive off animals that would try to attack the sheep and it was also used to guide the sheep if they got too close to the edge of a cliff, a pit or the bank of a fast-flowing river.

When our enemies are lurking about, He prepares a banquet for us and has us seated at a table of refreshing. We have nothing to fear because He is always with us. The Father is always with us.

And finally, we are followed by goodness and mercy.

When a Shepherd walks in the lead it’s not uncommon to see his sheep dogs bringing up the rear. They aren’t there to frighten the sheep, but they are a rear guard, protecting the sheep from anything that may try to sneak up from behind.

Goodness and mercy. God’s love, forgiveness, compassion, peace follows us all the days of our lives.

Because of who our Shepherd is I say, “Lead On”, knowing that I can safely follow as He leads me down the right path.

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Family Values

This morning my thoughts are filled with memories of my parents. For all my life June 9th was a day for celebrating. Even after my father died in 2005, I still made an effort to make it special for Mom.

They were married June 9, 1945.

They raised our family to love and serve the Lord. Of course, we deviated from that for a while but each of my siblings and myself have a deep and personal relationship with Christ and that is largely in part to the prayers and values of my parents and my grandparents.

I remember my mother telling of times of family prayer each evening after dinner. Sometimes her grandparents would join them, and she said her grandfather could pray at great length, in his native tongue of Norwegian.

My grandparents were great prayer warriors. In her 60’s my grandmother would pray for hours each day. Each family member was mentioned by name – children, grandchildren, great grands and all their spouses. Add to that all the missionary families she knew around the world, as well as family friends.

When my grandmother died my mom took up her prayer mantle. It was not unusual to find Mom sitting in her recliner praying each day, reading her Bible and sharing her love for Jesus with those who dropped in for a visit. And now, she too, has passed from this earth to her home in heaven.

My grandfather was known by the nickname Preacher. He lived to tell people about Jesus. I never knew him, he died the day I was born but I know that he prayed for me throughout my mom’s pregnancy.

Dad loved the Lord and he loved singing. He gave me my love of music and I especially liked standing next to him in church and having our voices blend in song.

“You must be very careful not to forget the things you have seen God do for you. Keep reminding yourselves, and tell your children and grandchildren as well.” Deuteronomy 4:9 CEV

Maybe you weren’t raised with the heritage that I was. However, you can leave a legacy of prayer and godliness for your children and grandchildren.

Last year at our 50th anniversary celebration our oldest granddaughter paid us the highest compliment. She told what it meant to her and the family that Dave and I have the relationship with Christ that we do and that they know we are always praying for them.

“You provide food for those you love. Their children have plenty, and their grandchildren
will have more than enough.” Psalm 17:14b CEV

The one thing the Lord reminds me often is that my children are His children and He loves them more than I ever could. I can trust Him to be their God and Father.

“Thank you Father for my heritage and the godly legacy that is mine. I desire to have this same impact in my family. In the precious name of Jesus, I praise You. Amen.”

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Let God’s Word Speak

This morning, I sat here for quite a while waiting for the words to come. In the quiet I listened and I read.

When our hearts are open to the Lord, when we genuinely desire to hear from Him, He speaks. Not in some big religious lights-in-the-sky way but in a quiet way that touches our hearts with a life-altering message.

“You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. 6 You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright. 7 I praise you, Lord, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind. 8 I will always look to you, as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. 9 With all my heart, I will celebrate, and I can safely rest.

10 I am your chosen one. You won’t leave me in the grave or let my body decay. 11 You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful.” Psalm 16:5-11 CEV

All I want – reminds me of another of David’s Psalms. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I don’t want for anything”. A bright future, guidance, protection, and safety.

Here it is again, we are chosen (before the foundation of the world), we have been given life. God is always near to us and in His presence is a place of joy!

Before I started to read, the lyrics from a MercyMe song were my morning prayer. Word of God Speak:

“I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I’m finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice…”

I don’t know what specific word God wants to speak to you this morning however, I do know if you are still while you are reading the Word of God will speak to your heart.

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Start With A Song

Less than ten minutes ago the only sound I heard was the song of a nightingale. It is such a sweet song, soft and soothing. They sing through the night and welcome the day.

Now at 4:37 a.m. the chorus has started. It’s still dark and the other birds have joined in song. Faintly, very faintly, is the nightingale while the others have taken the preeminence in the choir of praise.

I love starting the day with a song! It puts my heart at peace knowing that these creatures are cared for by our heavenly Father, and I have it on good authority that we are more valuable to Him than they are.

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds?..31 Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all of these.” Matthew 6:25-32 CEV

My morning prayer time has been filled with requests from family and friends. Some with great medical needs which in turn create great financial needs; others have relationship issues that need God’s intervention. Others have been bombarded with one heartache after another and need peace.

“ If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 CEV

Some needs are as simple as a completed project, but they can weigh us down and cause us to fret; we have to guard against those as much as the weightier issues of life.

“Our Lord, by your wisdom you made so many things; the whole earth is covered with your living creatures…All of these depend on you to provide them with food, 28 and you feed each one with your own hand, until they are full…. As long as I live, I will sing and praise you, the Lord God. 34 I hope my thoughts will please you, because you are the one who makes me glad.” Psalm 104:24, 27-28, 33-34 CEV

The chorus outside my door is getting louder as more participants join in. I will stop writing now and join their song.

It is the Lord whose eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches over you and me too!

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What’s It Worth?

I’m wanting to stay on topic from yesterday’s blog.

Did you copy the verses I gave you? Are they in your phone or on your computer so that you can read them again and again? Well, if not, here you go again.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. 4 In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it.” Ephesians 1:3-5 ERV

Yesterday friends came to visit and in conversation they mentioned a movie they had seen, Worth. If you haven’t seen it, it deals with compensation for those families who lost loved ones on 9-11. Their biggest struggle was in determining how to compensate families fairly.

This morning, I woke thinking about my worth or value and the verses above came back to mind. My second thought was these verses from the Psalms.

“I look at the heavens you made with your hands.
    I see the moon and the stars you created.
4 And I wonder, “Why are people so important to you?
    Why do you even think about them?
Why do you care so much about humans?
    Why do you even notice them?”

5 But you made them almost like gods
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You put them in charge of everything you made.
    You put everything under their control.
7 People rule over the sheep and cattle and all the wild animals.
8 They rule over the birds in the sky
    and the fish that swim in the sea.
9 Lord our Lord, your name is the most wonderful name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:3-9 ERV

God made man, us (male & female), in His image. He saw us as having value and worth. Remember the first set of verses this morning, from before the foundation of the world He decided to make us His children.

Our worth and value to God the Father is so great that He sent Jesus to die for us.

“ 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

If you think I’m trying to make a point, you’re right! I want you to see yourself as God sees you. You are priceless, no expense was too great to purchase our redemption.

“Christ sacrificed his life’s blood to set us free, which means our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because of God’s gift of undeserved grace to us. God has great wisdom and understanding,” Ephesians 1:7-8 CEV

I need us to go back to the story of the prodigal son again. Look at the son’s mindset.

“ I will go to my father and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer good enough to be called your son. Treat me like one of your workers.’ ” Luke 15:18-19 CEV

That phrase in other versions says, “No longer worthy”. Sin causes us to look at our unworthiness but love, the Father’s love, shows us our value.

“…when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him… ‘Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 Get the best calf and prepare it, so we can eat and celebrate. 24 This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found.” Luke 15:20-24 CEV

God determined our value before the world began. He established our worth and determined we are priceless!

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Make Today Count

Dave and I were sitting on the deck last night and talking about what is to come in the future. The end of next week we have two different families whose children are getting married. These are kids we saw growing up – now they are starting families of their own.

Dave said it will be a long time before we have another wedding in our family. The older grandkids have started their lives and homes, but the littles are still years removed from that. We wonder, will we be here to be a part of it. Only God knows that answer.

This week some of those close to us have lost loved ones to death.

It makes us ever more aware that we should be living each day with purpose and making the most of the days we have.

When we read the book of Romans it’s almost as if the Apostle Paul was reading the headlines in yesterday’s paper. His instructions are so direct and timely to the world we are living in. There is nothing “old fashioned” about his teaching.

“You know what sort of times we live in, and so you should live properly. It is time to wake up. You know that the day when we will be saved is nearer now than when we first put our faith in the Lord. 12 Night is almost over, and day will soon appear. We must stop behaving as people do in the dark and be ready to live in the light. 13 So behave properly, as people do in the day. Don’t go to wild parties or get drunk or be vulgar or indecent. Don’t quarrel or be jealous. 14 Let the Lord Jesus Christ be as near to you as the clothes you wear. Then you won’t try to satisfy your selfish desires.” Romans 13:11-14 CEV

It’s time to wake up! Making each day count.

Time to live the life that Jesus has called us to live. The Lord’s coming back soon. Yes, that’s been said since the time that Paul was on the earth but look how much sooner it is now than it was then. Look how much sooner it is than just 5-10 years ago.

Why the delay? I know but one answer to that question.

“Dear friends, don’t forget that for the Lord one day is the same as a thousand years, and a thousand years is the same as one day. 9 The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost. 10 The day of the Lord’s return will surprise us like a thief…” II Peter 3:8-10a CEV

God, the Father, is being patient and loving as He waits for everyone to respond to His love.

We have been given the opportunity to be light in this world, let’s make today count and fill it with His goodness.

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What About Hardship?

Everyone that is alive has faced struggles; some are physical while others are emotional or financial or relational. That is part of living in a fallen world and it is also in part to the spiritual enemies we face.

I think we would all like a lot less hardship and more ease but frankly, that’s unrealistic.

Before you stop reading and think that this morning’s words are too depressing to read, read this.

“We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. 9 We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed…16 That is why we never give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. 17 We have small troubles for a while now, but these troubles are helping us gain an eternal glory. That eternal glory is much greater than our troubles. 18 So we think about what we cannot see, not what we see. What we see lasts only a short time, and what we cannot see will last forever.” II Corinthians 4:8-18 ERV

These words were written by the Apostle Paul. Other than Christ, I don’t think there was anyone in the Bible who experienced more hardship than him. He was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, stoned and left for dead. He was maligned in nearly every town he preached in. And he calls all of that “small troubles”.

How can that be? His answer: God does not leave us, we look at the eternal, ever present Spirit of God who will never leave us our abandon us.

“But the Lord said, ‘My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.‘ So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me. 10 Yes, I am glad to have weaknesses if they are for Christ. I am glad to be insulted and have hard times. I am glad when I am persecuted and have problems, because it is when I am weak that I am really strong.” II Corinthians 12:9-11 ERV

When Daniel faced the lions, his strength was no match for theirs. David faced a Goliath of a giant, he was outmatched. The Hebrew children should have been toast in the fiery furnace. Joseph, who was accused of rape and spent years in an Egyptian prison, rose to be second in command.

Not one of them was abandoned or deserted by God. They were aware of the unseen power of God and they trusted Him.

“The Lord can be trusted in all that he says.  He is loyal in all that he does. 14 The Lord lifts up people who have fallen. He helps those who are in trouble.” Psalm 145:13-14 ERV

So, when we face hardship, and we will, we can trust God to give us the strength we need. He will be our deliverer.

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