Category: Faithfulness

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I Trust You!

Those are the only words I wrote in my journal this morning.

This is going to be a bit longer than my regular morning posts. Please read it through.

Up very early this morning praying for folks, folks going through storms. Not necessarily a literal storm like a toronado, hurricane or torrential rain, although that may be your storm, but any storm that brings fear into your life.

The wind of fear may be stirring up waves and ready to swamp your boat. Your boat may be finances, relationships, health, children, grandchildren, government, politics, employment, abandonment or loneliness.

You’ve tried to keep the boat on course. You see the land ahead of you, a place of shelter and refuge but a huge wind has come up and the waves are beating hard against the sides of the boat. The waves are crashing in on you and no matter how hard you row, no matter how powerful the engine of self sufficiency you find that your travel is impeded and it looks like you might sink.

Have you been there? Oh, I have! It’s a desperate feeling especially when everyone you know and depend on for help is either too busy sailing their own ship through life or they are completely unaware of your plight.

I heard it said once that there are 365 verses in the Bible that tell us to “not worry or be anxious”. God’s message is that there may be fear everyday trying to invade our lives but we can be of good cheer because He is in our boat and He will calm our seas.

There’s a story in the book of Mark. Jesus had been teaching all day. He had told the folks that God’s word was like a seed and when that seed is planted in our hearts that it will grow and bring a harvest. He also told them that some folks had hard hearts so the seed wouldn’t be able to germinate and that some hearts were stony so the seed would start to grow and die out because it couldn’t get good root and then there were some hearts that would have seed begin to grow and that weeds of fear, offense and worry would choke the Word, the seed. But He also told them that some hearts were good soil and the seed would grow well there.

When He finished this story Jesus said to his disciples that they should get in the boat and go to the other side. He gave them seed, going to the other side of the lake seed. So they all got in the boat, Jesus found a good place to lay down and He went to sleep. And just like Jesus had told them in the story about the seed immediately the fear came (the storm) to steal the seed so it wouldn’t grow.

These seasoned fishermen battled the storm for all they were worth and when they were exhausted and afraid they woke Jesus.

“That evening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the east side.” 36 So they left the crowd, and his disciples started across the lake with him in the boat. Some other boats followed along. 37 Suddenly a windstorm struck the lake. Waves started splashing into the boat, and it was about to sink.

38 Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep. His disciples woke him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re about to drown?”

39 Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm. 40 Jesus asked his disciples, “Why were you afraid? Don’t you have any faith?” 41 Now they were more afraid than ever and said to each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-41 CEV

Their question was don’t you care – aren’t you worried. We are going to drown. Their storm was too big, their fear was overwhelming. But you see Jesus was still holding on to that “going-to-the-other-side” seed so He spoke to the storm and it stopped!

So now I want to give you some “no more fear” seed.

“The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.” II Timothy 11:7 ERV

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV

Father, thank you for showing us how to give you our fears. Thank you for quieting our storms and getting us safely to the other side.

I TRUST YOU!

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All In

Many people followed Jesus when he was here on earth. He was a novelty with his healing power and his words of love. He claimed to be the Messiah and as such they expected him to overthrow the government and set up his reign as King.

No more Roman oppression; this man could multiply food; he could walk on water and even raise the dead. He called out hypocrisy and brought a sense of worthiness to the down trodden. Everyone, it seemed, wanted to be one of his followers.

But then came the call for accountability.

Jesus said that the path of following Him would require them to give up their way of life and commit to His. He even said that they would need to “eat of his flesh and drink of his blood” and this they thought was referring to a type of cannibalism and so many of them left and returned to their old way of life.

Jesus was simply saying that they needed to be all in – totally committed – in following Him. So as his followers were leaving, He turned to his disciples and asked this question.

“Because of what Jesus said, many of his disciples turned their backs on him and stopped following him. 67 Jesus then asked his twelve disciples if they were going to leave him. 68 Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, there is no one else that we can go to! Your words give eternal life. 69 We have faith in you, and we are sure that you are God’s Holy One.'” John 6:66-69 CEV

Our resolve must be that of the disciples. “Where else can we go, you have the words of life?”.

Father, we gladly follow you today. We are not ashamed to be called Christians – Christ-like ones. You gave your life for us and we will live our lives for you!

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Bright Hope

Every night the stars and the moon come out and every morning the sun comes up. To some that may seem like a monotonious repetition but to me that’s hope!

Hope that God is faithful to bring the end to one day and to bring new life to start the next. Without God’s presence we can be without direction and purpose or worse yet we try to become our own god and that means that we are responsible for making everything happen, making everything work out right and it’s simply not in our power to do so.

The sunrise and the sunset are God’s examples of His faithfulness.

“We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! 24 I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my God, and I trust him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 ERV

When we give up living for ourselves and find our life in Christ we can have rest from this vicious cycle of dependence on self. In Christ, we are promised a new and abundant life; life filled with joy, peace, love, forgiveness and grace.

“But we know that no one is made right with God by following the law. It is trusting in Jesus Christ that makes a person right with God. So we have put our faith in Christ Jesus, because we wanted to be made right with God. And we are right with him because we trusted in Christ—not because we followed the law. I can say this because no one can be made right with God by following the law…I died to the law so that I could live for God. I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. 20 So I am not the one living now—it is Christ living in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God. He is the one who loved me and gave himself to save me.” Galatians 2:16-20 ERV

Each day is a new opportunity to receive God’s mercy and strength, to be wrapped in His love. Each evening we are given an invitation to rest securely.

“I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 CEV

Great is the faithfulness of God; He is faithful to a thousand generations.

“Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.”

In Christ we have new life and in Him we have the power to live a life of purpose and a bright hope for tomorrow.

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Off the Beaten Path

While Dave and I were in the mountains last week we walked quite a bit off the beaten path. Oh yes, there were paved, sort of, roads through the campground but getting to the lake and carrying our trash to the dumpsters was shorter if we cut through the forested area and didn’t go on the path.

There were a few times when Dave walked beside me or even behind me to make sure I didn’t trip or fall. He’s good about doing things like that.

And then there’s those times when you are in a public place and see the signs posted “Watch your Step”. In addition to the warning, it’s nice to have someone there beside you to steady you when the way forward is uncertain.

I remember our many visits with my mother. When we went out she had her cane and/or her walker, but she enjoyed taking our arm just to steady her. I remember holding her hand when I was a child and we would go places. In high school we would find ourselves walking down the street hand in hand. (I didn’t need her assistance then, but I liked the feeling of her hand in mine.)

I was reminded of these examples this morning as I was reading near the end of Psalm 119. That’s what God does for us! He takes our hand and steadies our steps.

“Your teachings are wonderful, and I respect them all. 130 Understanding your word
brings light to the minds of ordinary people. 131 I honestly want to know everything you teach. 132 Think about me and be kind, just as you are to everyone who loves your name.
133 Keep your promise and don’t let me stumble or let sin control my life. 134 Protect me from abuse, so I can obey your laws. 135 Smile on me, your servant, and teach me your laws.
136 When anyone disobeys you, my eyes overflow with tears.” Psalm 119:129-136 CEV

God’s word keeps us from stumbling when we apply it to our lives.

“ Offer praise to God our Savior because of our Lord Jesus Christ! Only God can keep you from falling and make you pure and joyful in his glorious presence. Before time began and now and forever, God is worthy of glory, honor, power, and authority. Amen.” Jude 24-25 CEV

Whether the road ahead is paved and smooth or off the beaten path, the Lord is there!

Father, today my path may be uncertain. I’m not sure where You will lead and what the terrain may be but I am certain that if You are with me. You won’t let me stumble. Thank you for keeping Your promise. I love walking hand in hand with You!

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Making Right Choices

Everyday we have the opportunity to make many choices; the hard part is making the correct one.

“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

This was Moses’ instruction to the Israelites when they were about to leave the wilderness and enter the Promised Land. You have two choices and in case you aren’t sure which one to choose, Choose LIFE!

Jesus said something similar to Martha, the sister of Lazarus and Mary.

She was busy in the kitchen, running her household and preparing a meal for her brother, his friends and Jesus, the Messiah. While Martha was in the kitchen making sure everything was just perfect Jesus was in the living room doing what He did best. He was talking about His Father and the peace that comes from following His Father’s instructions.

Martha had enough!

Her sister was sitting front and center absorbing every word that Jesus was saying. Martha needed help and Mary was obliviously absent.

“While Jesus and his followers were traveling, he went into a town, and a woman named Martha let him stay at her house. 39 She had a sister named Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach. 40 But her sister Martha was busy doing all the work that had to be done. Martha went in and said, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’

41 But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things. 42 Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:38-42 ERV

Many choices! Make the right one – choose life, choose the bread of life, choose God above all else, He is the right choice!

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Trust Isn’t a One Time Thing

Verses of trust are running through my heart this morning. So, I will share a few with you. Also, the words to the old hymn: “trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey”.

In my morning quiet time, I took time to reflect and repent. We had a lovely time. Our campsite was beautiful and we hardly had any other campers around us. A real place of solitude.

However, unknowingly, cares and concerns began to creep in. Circumstances beyond our control and to be quite honest, I started to become overwhelmed and lost some of the peace that the Lord has promised to those who keep their minds “stayed or established” in Him.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV

Trust is not a one time thing!

It is a daily, sometimes, minute-by-minute or hour-by-hour, commitment to God and His word.

“Praise the Lord! He has heard my prayer for mercy. 7 The Lord is my strength and shield. I trusted him with all my heart. He helped me, so I am happy. I sing songs of praise to him. 8 The Lord protects his chosen one. He saves him and gives him strength.” Psalm 28:6-8 ERV

“The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. 3 He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place, my place of safety, high in the hills. He is my savior, the one who rescues me from the cruel enemy. 4 I called to the Lord for help, and he saved me from my enemies. He is worthy of my praise!” II Samuel 22:2-4 ERV

Did you know not all enemies are physical? Worry is a terrible adversary; it is a thief that steals our joy and our peace.

” Some people trust the power of chariots or horses, but we trust you, Lord God. 8 Others will stumble and fall, but we will be strong and stand firm.” Psalm 20:6-8 CEV

“Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory.” Isaiah 41:10 ERV

” God is the one who saves me. I trust him, and I am not afraid. The Lord Yah is my strength. He saves me, and I sing songs of praise about him.[a]” 3 You people will get your water from the spring of salvation. Then you will be happy.” Isaiah 12:2-3 ERV

Footnote for Isaiah 12:2 Literally means, “Yah, Yahweh is my strength and praise. And he becomes my salvation.”

I encourage you to do what I did just a few hours ago. I took my basket of worry and laid it down at Jesus’ feet, again. He can handle it, He wants to handle it but we have to give Him permission to take it.

Trust is not a one-time thing. It is a daily, conscious commitment. “I trust Him”!

God our Father is trustworthy! Have a trust filled day!

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Small Miracles

Friday at noon Dave and I left Queen Valley to start on our 10 day camping trip.

It was only about an hour later when we experienced our first small miracle. As we were driving from the valley to Payson, our radiator temperature light came on. Just ahead was an exit from the interstate and we were able to pull off and pull into a bar/convenience market. (Small miracle #1)

I went in to buy a gallon of water and Dave raised the hood. When I came back out he was with a gal who had come over to see what the problem was.

She told Dave “I’m a MOPAR certified technician. (Small miracle #2) She assessed the situation and ruled out several big problems and said it was just a cracked radiator. She could take Dave to Payson to get one and come back and put it in. (Small miracle #3) O’Reilly’s had one.

In a little over 3 hours we were on the road again. Hot and sweaty, we decided to get a hotel so we could shower and get a good night’s sleep before going on to the campground. (small miracle #5). Got the room, a very nice room, for under $100 and then found out today our credit card gave us a travel credit of $100. (Small miracle #6)

Now for the past 2 days we have been sitting under the pines and enjoying God’s grandeur!

Deuteronomy 28: 1-6 NIV. “

you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country…6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.”

We definitely felt blessed and protected. Our MOPAR guardian angel definitely had some flowery speech but all the same she was truly sent by our loving Heavenly Father.

I asked her if anyone had ever told her she was a blessing and with a smirk she said nope. Well you are I said and she laughed.

So let me leave you with the verse the Lord impressed on me last Friday.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Our Father has designed more blessings than we can conceive and some of them can be found in our biggest trials.

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It’s Just A Tent

Today Dave and I are headed out for ten days of camping. Most of you know that we purchased a Jeep last summer and added a roof top tent in the Spring. We have it all decked out with everything we need – a kitchen, generator, winch, electric fridge, memory foam mattress and all the little things necessary.

As the Lord prompts me, I will be posting but I might not post everyday. It will be a time to rest and reflect on God’s goodness.

When our kids were younger we did quite a bit of camping. It was relaxing, fun and inexpensive. It was a nice tent and as comfortable as a tent could be but still it was just a tent.

I had my camping boxes that went on every trip. Each box had all the necessities prepacked. The only thing we really needed to think about was filling the ice chest with food and drinks. We could be ready to go in less than an hour’s time. Now that we’re older it takes a little longer to prepare but it’s just as much fun.

The adventures of wild animals in camp, canoe trips, floating the river, good friends, and the one time we brought everything but the tent. I know…but it happened.

No matter how much fun we had and how beautiful the camp site, it was always nice to come home. A comfortable bed, dry clothes, and a warm shower. Awwww.

In my reading today the Apostle Paul is talking about tent camping. Yes, tent camping!

“We know that our body—the tent we live in here on earth—will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a home for us to live in. It will not be the kind of home people build here. It will be a home in heaven that will continue forever. 2 But now we are tired of this body. We want God to give us our heavenly home. 3 It will clothe us and we will not be naked. 4 While we live in this tent, we have burdens and so we complain. I don’t mean that we want to remove this tent, but we want to be clothed with our heavenly home. Then this body that dies will be covered with life. 5 This is what God himself made us for. And he has given us the Spirit as the first payment to guarantee the life to come.

6 So we always have confidence. We know that while we live in this body, we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by what we believe will happen, not by what we can see. 8 So I say that we have confidence. And we really want to be away from this body and be at home with the Lord. 9 Our only goal is to always please the Lord, whether we are living here in this body or there with him.” II Corinthians 5:1-9 ERV

Life on this earth is like camping in a tent. The HoIy Spirit equips us with what we need but it’s not as comfortable as Home. Going home is something to look forward too with great anticipation.

However, while we’re in this tent we need to enjoy our surroundings. It’s an adventure but it’s just a tent. Our heavenly home awaits!

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Clouds, Fire & AI

For the last several months I have noticed a change in my morning computer searches. It used to be when I would search on a topic or key word all sorts of irrelevant information would appear. But now, the top searches generally include Scripture verses and Biblical references.

I chuckled and said to myself, “I finally got my computer saved”.

Let me share with you what I found in my search this morning when I typed in “pillar of cloud”. And I quote, ‘The pillar of cloud by day was a visible manifestation of God’s presence that guided, protected, and assured the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.‘

The reason I did that search is because I wanted to share some of my thoughts with you from 4th of July. We woke up to a refreshing cloud cover. Each of the neighbors we spoke with said the same thing – it was so nice to have the clouds, it just seemed cooler and the sun wasn’t as menacing. That made me think of the Israelites and their journey out of Egypt.

There was no Google Maps or Garmin, no GPS of any kind to lead them to the Promised Land and there was no A/C or heating for their tents.

But there was God!

“The Lord led the way. During the day, he used a tall cloud to lead the people. And during the night, he used a tall column of fire to lead the way. This fire gave them light so that they could also travel at night. 22 The cloud was always with them during the day, and the column of fire was always with them at night.” Exodus 13:21-22 ERV

The cloud and fire were directional devises for sure but they were also used for climate control. The cloud protected them from the harsh rays of the sun and the pillar of fire would keep them warm in those cold desert nights.

“Depend on the Lord for strength. Always go to him for help. 5 Remember the amazing things he has done. Remember his miracles and his fair decisions…The Lord spread out his cloud like a blanket. He used his column of fire to give his people light at night. 40 They asked for food, and he sent them quail. He also gave them plenty of bread from heaven. 41 He split the rock, and water came bubbling out.  A river began flowing in the desert!” Psalm 105:4-5,39-41 ERV

Our heavenly Father is practical. He is supernatural, omniscient, and omnipotent in all His ways but He is also concerned about our day to day lives. We can depend on Him for our strength.

He is our Savior, our Shepherd, our Shield. He is our pillar of cloud protecting us from the harshness of the days and our pillar of fire to bring us warmth, comfort and light when the nights are cold and dark.

And if you need a reminder of some of His great miracles go to His word; it’s better than AI.

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Always Triumph

Yesterday morning several of us in our community gathered near the flagpole. We sang, we said the Pledge of Allegiance and we prayed for our country. Those of us in our group have seen many things change in our country, some have served in defense of her, and we are all extremely grateful to live in this country called America.

She has faced many obstacles; some from without and others from within but she has triumphed.

It reminded me of the impact one verse made on my life about triumph.

“ But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It’s like a fragrance that fills the air.” II Corinthians 2:14 GW

Always! Always triumph! Quite an absolute to wrap your mind around right?

Years ago my granddaughter and I heard a message on II Corinthians 2:14. The youth pastor was teaching in a large auditorium filled with teens. He was sharing with them about the importance of putting their trust in Christ.

” But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume. 15 Our offering to God is to be the perfume of Christ that goes out to those who are being saved and to those who are being lost. ” II Corinthians 2:14-15 ERV

When we trust God and follow His lead we will ALWAYS triumph! That’s not to say there won’t be battles. Bible is filled with those who faced battles and circumstances that could have defeated them.

Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, faced prison time but became prime minister. Noah had to face a flood but he floated in the ark. David stood up to a giant and became king.

Peter was frightened by the storm, but he walked on water. Paul was in a shipwreck, but he made it safely to shore. Jesus had to face the cross but rose in triumphant resurrection!

Yes, when we trust in God he ALWAYS leads us to victory in Christ!

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