Category: Faithfulness

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Willing to Wait

Well, this morning we are on our way to visit with our son and his girlfriend for a few days and then with our granddaughter and her family.

It seems I’ve been waiting forever for this day to come.

Waiting is hard, especially at Christmas time. Do you remember being little and having to wait for Christmas morning? Tell me ,why do parents put presents under the tree 3 weeks in advance? Why are we told grandma and grandpa will be here, 2 weeks before they arrive? For little ones that seems like an eternity.

Now, imagine if you will, being Mary on the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was about 120 miles. Each night of the trip she waited for a comfortable bed but there was none. She waswaiting, hoping in all earnestness, for a warm and comfortable bed upon their arrival. But there was none.

Never in her wildest dreams do I think she imagined that she would be giving birth to her first child, God’s Son, in a barn!

“ 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

These words were written by King David but I think they must have also been the words of Mary’s heart.

But Mary wasn’t the only one who had waited for the day of Christ’s birth. God, the Father, had been waiting too. He had been waiting since the days of Adam and Eve in the garden.

“ Then the Lord God said to the snake, “Because you have done this, you will be hated and will suffer more than all cattle, and more than every animal of the field. You will go on your stomach and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 15 And I will make you and the woman hate each other, and your seed and her seed will hate each other. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15 NLV

These were God’s words of prophecy to the serpent in the garden. The seed of the woman, Christ, would crush the head of the serpent, Satan. Satan’s fate had been sealed! God would have the final word but He had to wait!

Are you waiting for something big to happen? A clear doctor’s report? A new promotion? A vindication among your peers? A restored relationship? Retirement? Graduation?

Don’t get tired in waiting. Don’t try to rush the plans of God. Be patient. Be willing to wait for God’s best, don’t settle for Satan’s counterfeit.

“ I wait for the Lord. My soul waits and I hope in His Word. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than one who watches for the morning; yes, more than one who watches for the morning. 7 O Israel, hope in the Lord! For there is loving-kindness with the Lord. With Him we are saved for sure.” Psalm 130:5-7 NLV

When we’re willing to wait good things happen. After all, it’s almost Christmas!

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Little Foxes

This morning I am reminded of the little things that try to steal our joy and gratitude. You see, night before last I made spaghetti for dinner. I was sampling the sauce, straight from the pot, and I blistered the roof of my mouth. Ouch!

Then yesterday morning, I wasn’t able to enjoy my coffee because my mouth was still tender and very sensitive to the heat. Same thing this morning, but not as severe. This made me realize how many times “little foxes” spoil our productivity and our praise. I was complaining instead of praising.

“Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!” Song of Solomon 2:15 NLT

What a strange little verse.

It was written by King Solomon to his lover. How many times do we let the “little things” in life ruin a loving relationship? Ruin a loving attitude?

Little frustrations – getting stuck in traffic, an overdue bill, being on hold and then getting someone on the line you can’t understand. A stubbed toe, lost keys, a mess in the kitchen or burning the roof of your mouth.

We seem to recognize the bigger issues more quickly and bring them to the Lord in prayer. We know He is always there to help in our time of need. But…the little issues, those little foxes can ruin our life’s vineyard of love, our heart’s gratitude, almost before we recognize it.

“ So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT

Help when we need it most! Help when the traffic is at a standstill, help when the milk gets spilled on the kitchen table, help when the fuel tank is on E and we’re late for a meeting. Help!

“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.” Psalm 18:6 NLT

Knowing that the Lord hears our cry and answers our pleas is so encouraging. I often hear people, who really claim no relationship with the Lord, utter “Thank God” when a situation changes for the better.

Yes, thank God!

He is our strength, our deliverer, our “little fox” eradicator!

“We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.” Psalm 33:20-21 NLT

Don’t let the little foxes spoil the love that is growing in your garden. Chase them away with an attitude of praise!

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In Everything Give Thanks

“ Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

Be thankful in all circumstances.

Our circumstances don’t have to be perfect for us to have an attitude of thankfulness. As Christians we aren’t promised a problem free life, but we are given the promises that make us victorious in every situation. That is what we are to be thankful for.

“A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” Acts 16:22-26 NLT

There was no apparent reason for Paul and Silas to be singing and praising God at midnight but sing they did.

“They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.” Acts 16:31-34 NLT

Some days it’s easy to sing because all seems right with the world, but other days come with unexpected distractions and joy-robbing obstacles. That’s where singing comes in – singing lifts the heart, it can make the heart skip and brings a lightness to our step.

Paul and Silas had been beaten and were chained in the prison but at midnight they chose to sing. I don’t believe they were singing the blues either, “nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen”…No, I’m sure it was something like “I’ll fly away, o glory, I’ll fly away. When I die hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away.”

“In” the worst of circumstances we can praise God “for” His faithfulness. Praise Him that He is a loving Father, and He has promised to never abandon us. Praise Him “for” being our source of strength, peace and joy.

Praise brings our focus to who God is and what His word says. Paul and Silas were focused on Jesus their Savior, and it led to the salvation of their jailer and his family.

“Come to worship him with thankful hearts and songs of praise. 3 The Lord is the greatest God, king over all other gods.” Psalm 95:2-3 CEV

Sing songs of praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior of your soul!

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The Day Is New

Did any of you get up in the middle of the night to see the eclipse? Me neither but in my life I have seen some pretty spectacular sunrises. The camera never does them justice but the one this morning comes from our time in Montana.

How many thousands of sunrises has God painted across the sky? Each one is an expression of His faithfulness. He one is a reminder that we are not going to face the day alone.

My reason for being thankful today is GOD! His great love and compassion amaze me each morning and I just want to give Him thanks.

“I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
    I will sing your praises before the gods.
2 I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
    I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed
    by all the honor of your name.
3 As soon as I pray, you answer me;
    you encourage me by giving me strength.

4 Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord,
    for all of them will hear your words.
5 Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways,
    for the glory of the Lord is very great.
6 Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble,
    but he keeps his distance from the proud.

7 Though I am surrounded by troubles,
    you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand,
    and the power of your right hand saves me.
8 The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
    for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Don’t abandon me, for you made me.” Psalm 138 NLT

I give thanks to the Father for who He is and all that He has done. I thank Him for another day filled with his faithfulness.

God is Good!

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Good To All

Here we are about ready to step into November. The month when kids look forward to a few extra days out of school, when Moms look forward to having family “home for the holidays”, and Dads await the football games.

It seems there is something for everyone to anticipate. But there is also something for everyone to experience. No, it’s not the joy of having too much turkey and pumpkin pie. It’s not the smell of fresh baked rolls or green bean casserole or mashed potatoes and gravy.

It’s a different kind of yummy goodness. It’s the goodness of God.

All year long I indulge in this goodness and never gain a pound. I have been reading this chapter in Psalms daily for over twenty thirty-five years. This one Psalm talks about God’s goodness for ALL. As you read it this morning, I want you to stop each time you read the word “all” and say that’s for me, because it is.

“The Lord is full of loving-favor and pity, slow to anger and great in loving-kindness. 9 The Lord is good to all. And His loving-kindness is over all His works. 10 All Your works will give thanks to You, O Lord. And all those who belong to You will honor You. 11 They will speak of the shining-greatness of Your holy nation, and talk of Your power. 12 They will make Your powerful acts and the great power of Your holy nation known to the sons of men. 13 Your holy nation is a nation that lasts forever. And Your rule lasts for all time.

14 The Lord holds up all who fall. He raises up all who are brought down. 15 The eyes of all look to You. And You give them their food at the right time. 16 You open Your hand and fill the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is right and good in all His ways, and kind in all His works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 19 He will fill the desire of those who fear Him. He will also hear their cry and will save them. 20 The Lord takes care of all who love Him. But He will destroy all the sinful. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord. And all flesh will honor His holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:8-21 NLV

That’s a whole lot of ALL! No one is left out; God’s love is all-inclusive. If you’re not sure of God’s love and goodness toward you, I encourage you to go back and read those verses again or maybe you will be like me and now begin to read them every day.

Now say with me, God is good to all and that means God is good to me!

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Back In the Box

This past week Dave and I have been packing things up and getting ready to head back to the Valley. Our biggest struggle has been trying to get things back in their original boxes.

No, we don’t have a cat and if we did we wouldn’t put them in a box but we did have canvas tarps and poles for our garage and also the awning and stakes for our canopy. Dave kept saying, “how did they get all this in the box”.

After what seemed to be hours of struggling with folding and refolding, packing and unpacking and packing again, we were tired. At one point I said to him, “no more today, it can wait till tomorrow”. I went in and he kept working.

This may all seem silly to you but each of us face daily struggles. How do we keep everything in order? How do we get all our “junk” back in the box?

“He said, “This is the message from the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Your help will not come from your own strength and power. No, your help will come from my Spirit.’ This is what the Lord All-Powerful says.” Zechariah 4:6

When we have Christ in our life we never have to draw on our own strength. We have his promise that He will provide the strength that we need.

Some things become easier with age. We have the experience to be more relaxed in different situations. Things don’t seem as stressful because we’ve walked this ground before and know that eventually everything will work out. Or at least that’s how it seems.

However, with age some things can seem more difficult. The physical things that we once had the power to handle when we were younger not can be tiring and frustrating.

“I love you, Lord! You are my strength. 2 The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. 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 high in the hills. 3 I called to the Lord for help, and he saved me from my enemies! He is worthy of my praise!” Psalm 18:1-3 ERV

The Lord never intended for us to do things on our own. He came to walk and talk with Adam and Eve each evening. He talked with Abraham, friend to friend. The Lord visited with Moses and gave him direction. He gave David strength to defeat a giant and was there when Daniel needed Him in the lion’s den.

Jesus talked with the Father continually and obtained the strength He needed for each day. The Apostle Paul made this statement to the churches in a letter written as a prisoner in Rome.

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

What is it that takes your strength? Packing up to go home, an illness, an obnoxious co-worker, financial stress? In each and every situation the Father promises to be our help and provide our strength.

Trust Him. He knows how to put everything back in the box.

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On the Right Path

I woke earlier than normal this morning. I was organizing my thoughts and my activities. We leave the mountain in one week.

So much still needs to be done. There are responsibilities to complete here and preparations to be made for the trip home. Yet, in all of this, I heard the Father saying, “Trust Me, I know everything that needs to be accomplished and I will direct your path”.

Deep breath in and then a slow exhale. His presence always bring joy and peace.

I’ve been reading through II Samuel. This morning’s reading was the accounting of Absalom’s mutiny against his father, King David. David wouldn’t allow anyone to speak evil against or do harm to his son. He let the Lord, his God, be his defender.

From there I went to Psalms. I just happened to be reading Psalm 55, these are the words King David wrote after being betrayed by his “trusted friend”, his son. He ends that Psalm with these words; “But I – I will trust in You”.

King David had a deep grasp of God’s faithfulness. He knew the Almighty God was trustworthy in every situation.

“All day long those who hate me have walked on me. For there are many who fight against me with pride. 3 When I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 I praise the Word of God. I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can only a man do to me? ” Psalm 56:2-4 NLV

“My heart will not be moved, O God. My heart cannot be moved. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! 8 Awake, my shining-greatness. Awake, harps. I will awake early in the morning. 9 O Lord, I will give thanks to You among the people. I will sing praises to You among the nations. 10 For Your loving-kindness is great to the heavens, and Your truth to the clouds.” Psalm 57:7-10 NLV

When we put our trust in the Lord we can walk free from fear. Our Father promises to maintain us – He is our strength, our shield and our defense.

“Followers of the Lord, trust in the Lord!  He is your strength and shield.” Psalm 115:11 ERV

He will always keep us on the right path, if we ask Him.

“Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance.” Psalm 143:8 CEV

“Praise the Lord!  He is my Rock. He prepares me for war. He trains me for battle. 2 He loves me and protects me. He is my safe place high on the mountain. He rescues me. He is my shield. I trust in him.” Psalm 144:1-2 ERV

“ I will tell of your greatness, my God and King. I will praise your name forever and ever. 2 I will praise you every day. I will praise your name forever and ever. 3 The Lord is great and deserves all our praise! No one can fully understand his greatness! 4 Each generation will praise you and tell the next generation about the great things you do.” Psalm 145:1-4 ERV

(Take time to read Psalms 143, 144 and 145 today)

Whether I am on the mountain or back down in the valley, the Lord is faithful and always will be. When I trust Him, I will be on the right path.

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The Changing Lane

Last night we had a “good-bye” dinner for some of our host friends who will be leaving the mountain the end of this week. Things are beginning to change.

Each day we become more visually aware that Autumn is here and our mountain life is changing. I feel blessed that we are here to see God’s design of changing seasons but the goodbyes do tug at my heart.

“And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day. 14 Then God said, ‘Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. 15 Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.’ And that is what happened.” Genesis 1:13-15 NLT

From the beginning the change of seasons was in His plan. It was established by His word and it has not changed. The Father’s faithfulness is unchanging.

“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9 NLT

Faithful and unfailing.

The question that came to mind the other day as I was driving up the lane to our campground was how many times have these trees’ leaves changed? Season after season, year after year, they from green to yellow and gold and then they fall to the ground, only to bud again in the Spring. They are a part of God’s plan and design. It was spoken at the beginning of time and the life of each subsequent generation of trees follows suit.

Why? Because God’s word established it. Established it in the same way that He established his love and faithfulness.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.” Hebrews 13:8-9 NLT

Jesus is always the same. Period. He does not change, season after season, year after year He remains the same. He is our example of the Father’s unfailing love, mercy and grace. His eternal purpose is to bring us into relationship with the Father. Our strength comes from God’s grace.

Our lane changes from green to gold. Some trees die and then new saplings sprout. One day it will all be gone but we have God’s promise that his word will never pass away.

“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” Matthew 24:35 NLT

When we put our faith and trust in Him, we have the promise of eternal life; a life in heaven surrounded by beauty, in the presence of God, Himself!

If you have trouble with change, put your hope in the One who never changes and whose Word will last forever.

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Taming Lions

Some situations get out of control quickly. It can be a grumpy neighbor, a jealous co-worker, someone with an axe to grind or even a distraught loved one. Each of them could be wearing their emotions on their sleeve and it creates a volatile outburst.

We all have lions that we must face and taming them can be tricky business, just ask Daniel.

He had co-workers who hated him and would go to any lengths to sabotage his credibility. They were jealous and wanted him dead.

They had the king enact a law that anyone who prayed to any god other than whom the king said would be thrown into the lion’s den. They knew full well that Daniel spent hours each day praying to His God. Once the trap was set, they brought Daniel before the king; judgment was made, and Daniel was taken off to certain death.

In the morning, the king came to the lions’ den and called out to Daniel. Daniel answered and the king had him brought out of the enclosure. Daniel gave glory to God for His faithfulness.

“Darius thought it would be a good idea to choose 120 satraps to rule throughout his kingdom… 3 Daniel proved himself to be a better supervisor than any of the others. He did this by his good character and great ability. The king was so impressed with Daniel that he planned to make him ruler over the whole kingdom. 4 But when the other supervisors and the satraps heard about this they were very jealous…

“19 The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. 20 He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.”

21 Daniel answered, “King, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.”

23 King Darius was very happy…The lions did not hurt Daniel because he trusted in his God…

26 I am making a new law. This law is for people in every part of my kingdom. All of you must fear and respect the God of Daniel.

Daniel’s God is the living God; he lives forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed. His rule will never end. 27 God helps and saves people. He does amazing miracles in heaven and on earth. He saved Daniel from the lions. 28 So Daniel was successful during the time Darius was king and when Cyrus the Persian was king.” Daniel Chapter 6 ERV

Are you facing a lions’ den today?

Daniel didn’t change his commitment to the Lord just because the circumstances changed. Daniel was a faithful man, he continued to serve God in spite of the circumstances. And God remained faithful to His word and to the man who served Him.

Be faithful today and you will find that God is faithful too.

Faith in God will tame the lions we face. He is still the living God who saves and helps His people.

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Family Portrait

Yesterday morning I was saddened to hear of a recent study on the decline of Christianity in the United States.

The survey stated that “people are giving up on Christianity”.

I can see how many are giving up on religion, man-made doctrines and legalistic rules, but how can people give up on Christianity? A Christian is one who is a follower of Christ. How can someone who has followed Christ and known the unconditional love of the Almighty God, our heavenly Father, and His grace, mercy and unfailing forgiveness give up on what they’ve experienced?

Was their experience purely an intellectual one and not a matter of the heart? Have we who are Christ’s followers not truly shown what it means to be in relationship with the Father?

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 NLT

If our world is to see the depth of God’s love, His character, we are the ones who need to be showing it to them. As His children, we need to be expressing our love for our good Father.

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” II Timothy 3:1-5 NLT

“They will reject the power that could make them godly”. This is how the decline is evolving.

Don’t give up what you have learned and what you know to be true of God’s faithfulness and love.

This morning’s picture is one of my family that was taken for the local paper when I was about 2 1/2 years old. There was an article that accompanied it on families that based their lifestyles in faith and on Biblical principles. Today my mother and father are in heaven and my sister and brother live according to the faith in God that we were taught as children.

“ But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” II Timothy 3:14-17 NLT

May I encourage each of us to continue to live according to the Scripture. It is the Father’s word preparing us for every good work.

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