Good & Healthy

How many of you are already planning your holiday baking and the menus for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals? Does the word “healthy” fit with those culinary delights? Or is your attitude more along the lines of indulgence and it’s only once a year?

I was going to use the “just this once” phrase but realized that has kind of been a pattern of late. Camping and cookies – just this once. Grandchildrens birthday cupcakes – just this once (three months in a row). Yes, I’ve let those just-this-once treats and snacks add some extra pounds that need to be removed.

So, this morning I’m going to talk about exercise for a bit. Not for you but for me. I need to put this out there and be accountable.

When we first realize that we “need” to exercise it’s never pleasant. Accepting that we are out of shape and not as healthy as we should be is the first step. So we decide to exercise.

The first few days we have a real commitment or at least that’s what we tell ourself. But then comes day seven or eight; and it becomes harder to stay committed to the goal. Our muscles hurt, we’re not seeing any results yet, we start making excuses and when we do that we are on your way to failure.

I know, I’ve failed many times.

Now think back to our childhood days – exercise wasn’t a bad word. In fact, it was called play. To be outside with our buddies playing ball, running through the yard playing tag or football. Going hiking to your favorite fishing spot or walking the mile to the swimming pool in the afternoon heat (my personal favorite). It was fun and we were in shape.

Of course you know this is going to have a spiritual correlation.

When we face trials and temptations it is an opportunity to exercise our faith. James tells us to count it joy because we will be developed and end up lacking nothing. Exercising our faith builds spiritual muscle.

“My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. 3 You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. 4 But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4 CEV

Facing trials is like building muscle. At first we see little victories but then to continue to develop a muscle we must increase the weight, the repetition or both.

In walking with the Lord, we’re never left to do this on our own. We have a great coach who is with us every step. Under His direction and inspiration we come out the winner.

“You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.” I Corinthians 10:13 CEV

Jesus knows what this is all about because He went through every temptation we experience while he was here on earth. Who better to coach us than someone whose been there, done that and emerged as the Champion of Champions!

“We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him. 15 Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16 ERV

Thank you Lord for coaching me through life and providing all the help I need to develop and finish as a winner! And thank you for giving me the power to resist that pecan pie and stay on track with my daily exercise!

Broken Plates – Broken Promises

When the garage sale was over there were a few things that needed to be packed away and saved for the next sale. I wrapped them carefully, not wanting them to be damaged before they appeared again.

I was reminded of a couple times when I’ve had to clean up broken plates and even more times when I’ve had to forgive and heal from broken promises.

One time, we had just moved to the Coeur d’Alene area of Idaho from Spokane, WA. I wanted to have an afternoon tea for my friends from Washington, introducing them to my friends in Idaho.

I had made cheesecake, cinnamon rolls, german chocolate cake and prepared cheese and meat trays along with vegetable trays. I set a serving table next to the breakfast bar and had covered it with the lace tablecloth and begun to set out the salad plates, silverware, cups and glasses. All of a sudden, and without warning, the table legs collasped at one end of the table and almost everything slid to the floor!

I was devastated!

The ladies would be arriving within the hour and I had a huge mess to clean up while still making the best presentation I could. I believe it’s important to honor the women in our lives and that’s what this gathering was all about. Making my friends feel special. I was able to get things cleaned up, with the help of one early arriving guest, and we all had a wonderful afternoon.

My next experience with broken plates occurred six and one-half years ago. Dave and our son were unloading the U-Haul that had transported all of our wordly possessions to Arizona from Montana. When we loaded the truck in Montana, I had carefully placed my kitchen dishes on the upper shelf of the van. They were the first things on and they would be the last things off.

What I hadn’t calculated properly was the May 30th temperatures in Arizona. Dave and Koy had worked hard all day carrying boxes and manuevering hand trucks up and down the ramp from the truck to the garage in 100+ degree temperatures. My dishes, the last tubs off, were set on the hand cart and brought down the ramp. The guys were exhausted – the cart slipped, the tubs tumbled and the dishes crashed. Our son was so apologetic, he was crushed!

Broken dishes. I’m just glad there were no broken bones!

I refused to open the tubs until later. Dishes can be replaced; relationships matter most! Accidents are just that and we all have them.

So, as I was packing the glassware that didn’t sell at the garage sale I was careful, but if things break, it’s not the end of the world.

Over the past sixty-seven years I have had broken dishes and broken promises. Things I’ve said with well meaning have not come to pass. I’m ashamed to admit that there have been times that I have made promises I had no intention of keeping and the Lord has forgiven me for that. I have also been made promises that have been broken. As hard as it has been at times I have tried to forgive and not harbor any ill feelings.

I am so grateful that God has never been guilty of breaking His word. No broken promises!

My favorite verse, my life verse, can be found in the book of Numbers. Of all the books in the Bible Numbers is really one of the most dry and uneventful books, its a census, but it holds my favorite verse.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

Remember this and be thankful – God never breaks a promise, never! if necessary, sweep up broken dishes, move past broken dreams and forgive those who break their word.

God forgives us and He is always faithful!

Thank God for Victory!

Last night I was talking with a friend about victory. We’ve been praying for each other and there are some situations that we have been praying over for a long time yet neither one of us is discouraged.

We know that God has given us the victory!

God’s faithfulness is not temporary or conditional. No, He is always faithful and worthy of our trust. Occasionally, we need to be reminded of that.

” But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

We give thanks to God, who gives us the victory over life’s situations. This victory is ours through our relationship with Christ Jesus. It may not always look like we are victorious but when we give Him thanks our Father gives us little glimpses into how He’s working.

Jesus didn’t look victorious when they laid him in the tomb. Peter didn’t look victorious when he was sinking on the sea of Galilee. Daniel didn’t look victorious when he was thrown into the lion’s den. Paul didn’t look victorious when he was stoned and left for dead.

Maybe your circumstances don’t appear very encouraging but God is working!

You still deal with the same situations at work, with your family, your health, your finances, your fears. But God is working. He has never lied, never broken a promise. When we come to Him with His word we aren’t being arrogant. We are being obedient.

“Rain and snow fall from the sky and don’t return until they have watered the ground.
Then the ground causes the plants to sprout and grow, and they produce seeds for the farmer and food for people to eat. 11 In the same way, my words leave my mouth,
 and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do.” Isaiah 55:10-11 ERV

These verses create a powerful image in my mind. Did you ever plant some seeds in a garden or flower bed? Maybe you were young and impatient. Your folks told you to leave them alone, they were growing under the soil where you couldn’t see. Then one day the sprout popped through the earth, still you were instructed to leave it alone and let it grow. It seemed like ages before it was fully developed. Seed – sprout – stalk – leaves – fruit – harvest.

Victory!

That’s how it is with God’s word. It is planted in prayer, watered and germinating where no one sees but it always succeeds where God sends it. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory.

Stand strong in doing the work that God has called you to do. Don’t give in to the voice of public opinion or pressure of your peers. You have victory in Christ Jesus so stand strong and give thanks!

Life Changing Moments

Imagine with me, if you will, the following scenarios: You placed an ad in Craig’s List to sell your Jeep. Weeks pass and no one comes but then there’s a phone call from a man who wants to come look at it. He comes with his wife, they buy the Jeep and in the process you learn that she is someone you met over 30 years earlier. Her mother had opened her home to your cowboy Bible studies. A friendship renewed!

Then there was the time you stopped in a restaurant in a small town in norther California. As your husband comes through the door and approaches the counter, a man sitting there sees the words on his belt buckle “Jesus Is Lord”, falls to his knees and repents because he has been running from God.

One other time, you find yourself stopping in a pharmacy and meet a young woman who is obviously upset. You ask to pray for her and she bursts into tears. You pray, the Lord lifts her burden and you leave.

All of these, and others, were life changing moments for us and for those we encountered. They were divine appointments that the Lord orchestrated and we were blessed to be a part of.

I’ve been looking at people who encountered Jesus. Each one started out as a normal day, normal routine but they encountered a divine appointment. Some were moved by what Jesus did and others by what Jesus said.

Remember the Samaritan woman? Her life and the life of her town were changed by the words of Jesus. Jesus had stopped on His journey at the town well when He met a woman.

“Many of the Samaritan people in that town believed in Jesus. They believed because of what the woman had told them about him. She had told them, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40 The Samaritans went to Jesus. They begged him to stay with them. So he stayed there two days. 41 Many more people became believers because of the things he said.42 The people said to the woman, “First we believed in Jesus because of what you told us. But now we believe because we heard him ourselves. We know now that he really is the one who will save the world.” John 4:39-42 ERV

And then there was the man at the pool who had been lame – His life was changed by the words “take up your bed and walk”. Jesus was just walking through town when he met this man.

“Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, … One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”…Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath” John 5:1-9 NLT

And then there was Zacchaeus. He started his day by attending a parade; he heard that there was a famous man coming through town that day and he wanted to see what He looked like. It was a life changing event.

“Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled…Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:1-10 NLT

We are here to be an ambassador, a representative for Christ. Be open to divine set-ups. These are life changing moments for you and those you meet.

Who Is The Enemy?

For the last couple of weeks I have written about the circumstances and situations in life that cause fear and unrest. The good news is that our God is bigger than any of them and He will walk through every situation. We can trust Him.

God is faithful! Yes, He is. His faithfulness endures to a thousand generations, as if there were any question about it. He can be trusted to keep His word.

This morning we will look at Daniel. He had co-workers who hated him and would go to any length to sabotage his credibility and even go so far as to want him dead. They had the king enact a law that anyone who prayed to a 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 lion’s den.

In the morning, the king came to the lions’ den and called out to Daniel. He responded and the king had him brought out of the enclosure. Daniel gave glory to God for His faithfulness and the co-workers were sent to their death for trying to destroy Daniel.

“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.24 Then the king gave a command to bring the men who had accused Daniel to the lions’ den. The men and their wives and children were thrown into the lions’ den… 25 Then King Darius wrote this letter to all the people from other nations and language groups all around the world:Greetings: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

True Story!

Who was Daniel’s enemy? Was it the king who sentenced him to death? Could it have been the co-workers who were jealous of Daniel, his wisdom and position? Were the lions’ his enemy? Perhaps, Daniel’s enemy was unseen and lurking in the background. Daniel’s enemy was the same one, that those of us who seek to honor God, face on a daily basis.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:11-13 NLT

Are you facing a lions’ den today? You notice that 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 continued to be faithful to His word and to the man who served Him. Like Daniel, we will still be standing when the battle is over. Be faithful today and you will find that God is faithful too!

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…” II Chronicles 16:9

Things That Last Forever

Seeing is Believing – isn’t that how the old expression goes?

But that’s not always true. Have you ever been to a house of mirrors and seen your shape go from normal to tall & skinny or short & fat? And people will misconstrue what they see and what they hear.

I can just see the headlines now: “Boy Dying – Preacher Sends Father Away”

In John, chapter 4 a father comes to Jesus and tells Him his son is dying. The father begs Jesus to come.

“Jesus went to visit Cana in Galilee again. Cana is where he had changed the water into wine. One of the king’s important officials lived in the city of Capernaum. This man’s son was sick. 47 The man heard that Jesus had come from Judea and was now in Galilee. So he went to Jesus and begged him to come to Capernaum and heal his son, who was almost dead. 48 Jesus said to him, “You people must see miraculous signs and wonders before you will believe in me.”49 The king’s official said, “Sir, come before my little son dies.”50 Jesus answered, “Go. Your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus told him and went home. 51 On the way home, the man’s servants came and met him. They said, “Your son is well.”52 The man asked, “What time did my son begin to get well?” They answered, “It was about one o’clock yesterday when the fever left him.”53 The father knew that one o’clock was the same time that Jesus had said, “Your son will live.” So the man and everyone in his house believed in Jesus.” John 4:46-53 ERV

How many times did I want to see a miracle? Wanted to see the “power of God” moving and yet sat with the Bible on the coffee table and not opened it to find God’s miraculous, powerful Word for myself?

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” II Corinthians 4:18 NLT

Thank God, He understands our limitations and the frailty of our faith. He is moved with compassion because He loves us so.

Do you remember what Jesus said to the centurion who came to him asking that his servant be healed? To him, Jesus said I will come and the centurion said no, just speak the word and my servant will be healed because you have authority and your word is enough. (paraphrased by me)

“Jesus said to the officer, “I will go and heal him.”8 The officer answered, “Lord, I am not good enough for you to come into my house. You need only to give the order, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this, because I understand authority. There are people who have authority over me, and I have soldiers under my authority. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes. I tell another soldier, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and my servant obeys me.”10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He said to those who were with him, “The truth is, this man has more faith than anyone I have found, even in Israel…13 Then Jesus said to the officer, “Go home. Your servant will be healed the way you believed he would.” Right then his servant was healed.” Matthew 8:7-13 ERV

I want centurion faith! If God’s word says it – that’s enough!

Always Faithful – Always True

Today I stand and declare – Let God be true and every man a liar!

If God’s word says it, it’s truth and truth triumphs over facts! No, I don’t live with my head in the sand and I’m not delusional. I AM convinced,beyond any shadow of doubt, that God’s word is true whether I see it working or not.

Abraham believed God rather than looking at his own body or the barrenness of his wife and they had a child in their old age. Mary believed God and she conceived a son when she was a virgin. The disciples believed God and they cast our demons, healed the sick and raised the dead. The lame man believed God and took up his bed and walked.

I believe the Word when it says ‘with God, all things are possible”. I believe the word when it says “by his stripes we are healed”. And I believe the word of God when it says “nothing is impossible to him who believes”.

We can be confident when we pray the Word of God over a situation. As we pray the word of God, we are praying God’s will; His word is His will.

I know some may feel like giving up. There are situations that have been overwhelming and strength seems to be gone but don’t quit! Don’t give up! Stand on God’s word. Make it the final authority. God has not and will not abandon us! We are His children and He cares for His own!

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” I John 5:14-15 KJV

“With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name! 2 With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been. 3 The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, 4 and protects us from death. His kindness and love are a crown on our heads. 5 Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle.” Psalm 103:1-3 CEV

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 KJV

Let God be true and every man a liar –

“It is true that some Jews were not faithful to God. But will that stop God from doing what he promised? 4 No, even if everyone else is a liar, God will always do what he says. As the Scriptures say about him, “You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win when people accuse you.” Romans 3:3-4 ERV

“The Lord’s word is true, and he is faithful in everything he does.” Psalm 33:4 ERV

“Let us hold on to the hope we say we have and not be changed. We can trust God that He will do what He promised.” Hebrews 10:23 NLV

Faithful and True. AMEN!

Research

A good portion of my day was spent in research yesterday. Occasionally, I do freelance projects that require a verification of facts and figures. It’s tedious but also interesting. More often than not, the information I gather is not something I would normally find interesting but when I look at it through the eyes of the one requesting the data it sparks my interest.

There’s a line from the movie, Monte Walsh, where a ranch manager is describing how the ranch has been purchased by an investment group in the East. Their representative has come to learn the in’s and out’s of ranching. The ranch manager goes on to say “Mr. Slocum is here for two weeks to learn ranching.” When asked what skills he will learn, the ranch manager repeats several times “He’s a good one with the numbers”. This man won’t learn anything about the cattle, the way of life or what is takes to have a successful cattle ranch – all he wants to know is the numbers. The bottom line. His research is strictly a financial one.

There have been times that when folks have asked “how are you doing” or “what’s going on with you” and I know that they are really only concerned about the bottom line and not the details. It seems they ask out of obligation but their interest isn’t really in the circumstances that I’m experiencing.

However, there is one who is always interested.

“We are people of flesh and blood. That is why Jesus became one of us. He died to destroy the devil, who had power over death. 15 But he also died to rescue all of us who live each day in fear of dying. 16 Jesus clearly did not come to help angels, but he did come to help Abraham’s descendants. 17 He had to be one of us, so that he could serve God as our merciful and faithful high priest and sacrifice himself for the forgiveness of our sins. 18 And now that Jesus has suffered and was tempted, he can help anyone else who is tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18 CEV

Jesus didn’t just do a statistical evaluation of what life was like as a human. He became human so that He could experience life as we know it. He got tired and hungry; in arid climate he was hot and thirsty. He went through all the emotions we do – He experienced the murder of his cousin, the death of a close friend, He was betrayed by a business associate and misunderstood by His closest friends.

“We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV

Jesus understands EVERY weakness we face and because of that He offers us help and kindness. All we have to do is come to Him.

I’m so glad that Jesus knows my heart and not just the numbers. He’s experienced life as we know it. His research is complete and He has made us this promise.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

Don’t Be Ashamed

These are the words that were going through my mind when I woke up this morning. “I am not ashamed”.

Many times over the past sixty-seven years I have been ashamed. Ashamed of my actions, ashamed of something I have said that was unkind, cruel or untrue. Ashamed when I compared myself to others – not pretty enough, not athletic, not popular, not stylish, not “whatever”.

The worst…there were times when I wanted to be a “secret agent” for Jesus. In high school, it seems everyone knew I was a Christian. Some of my friends and I met together each morning in the library and at lunch time outside Snyder Hall to pray. We prayed about tests, problems with classmates and with family issues. But that meant we were excluded from some of the activities of the more popular kids. Sometimes, I selfishly wished I had not been so vocal.

My faith in Christ is the bedrock of who I am. I want His love to shine through me. I stand on God’s Word. I believe it is 100% true. There is no room for compromise on His principles. Standing strong on His word is the only ground that does not give way in the face of life’s storms. That is a lesson I have learned.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” Matthew 7:24-25 NLT

2020 has been a year of rains, floodwaters and winds…but a house built on the bedrock of God’s Word won’t collapse! I believe that with all my heart.

I found quite a few verses that talk about not being ashamed. I think the last two may surprise you.

“They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.” Psalm 22:5 NKJV

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.” Psalm 34:4-5 NKJV

“I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is the power of God. It is the way He saves men from the punishment of their sins if they put their trust in Him. It is for the Jew first and for all other people also. 17 The Good News tells us we are made right with God by faith in Him. Then, by faith we live that new life through Him. The Holy Writings say, “A man right with God lives by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 NLV

“I have been chosen to be a missionary and a preacher and a teacher of this Good News. 12 For this reason, I am suffering. But I am not ashamed. I know the One in Whom I have put my trust. I am sure He is able to keep safe that which I have trusted to Him until the day He comes again.” II Timothy 1:11-12 NLV

“Jesus makes men holy. He takes away their sins. Both Jesus and the ones being made holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them His brothers.” Hebrews 2:11 NLV

“But they were waiting for a better country—a heavenly country. So God is not ashamed to be called their God. And he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16 ERV

If God, the Father, and Jesus are unashamed of us then why should we be ashamed of them? Christ died for us when we were our most unlovable. He followed the plan that God, the Father, had in mind – the plan of reconciliation. Neither of them are ashamed of us!

Let’s live the rest of our lives shameless – unashamed in our stand for Christ.

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15 NLT

Where Did the Moon Go?

When I was a kid I used to wonder where the moon went when it was gone.

Did you notice there really wasn’t a moon last night? You probably didn’t think about it at all. Happens all the time doesn’t it? Yet, we know that when the moon turns to that tiny little sliver very shortly there will be a full moon to take it’s place.

Each new day reminds me that the Lord is into new beginnings. The sun is always rising and setting – the tide always brings the waves in and out – our God always was, is and always will be. He promises that each morning He will have new ways to show us His love and His mercy.

“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!” Lamentations 3:22-23 ERV

Everything on earth has a beginning and an end. There is only One who is eternal. He has no beginning and no end and He is ever present – always there, when we call upon Him and when we ignore Him, He is present. The Bible starts with “In the beginning GOD” and it ends the same way.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:13 ERV

Those of us who believe in Christ as Savior have eternal life. There is so much more to our lives than this physical existence; it is our life in Christ. It is an abundant life where we draw from God’s love, mercy, grace and goodness each and every day.

“for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

A new day is beginning, one the giver of life, abundant life, eternal life, has designed for us.

Enjoy this day, it’s a new beginning!