Category: Faithfulness

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Excessively Wonderful

I love to worship the Lord! Not worship because of things that He has done, although those are many, but worship just because of Who He is!

One defintion in Merriam-Webster is excessive admiration for someone.

Excessive – our God is excessive. He didn’t just create 5 colors and quit – He was excessive. He didn’t just create 6 fish or 7 fruit or 8 vegetables. He created millions of stars, countless galaxies, hundreds of millions of people with individual fingerprints and unique DNA.

Excessive!

He gave us His Son who willingly paid the price for the sins of the whole world.

Excessive!

“My Lord, there is no God like you. No one can do what you have done. 9 My Lord, you made everyone. I wish they all would come worship you and honor your name.

10 You are great and do amazing things. You and you alone are God.

11 Lord, teach me your ways,
and I will live and obey your truths.
Help me make worshiping your name
the most important thing in my life.

12 My Lord God, I praise you with all my heart. I will honor your name forever!

13 You have such great love for me.
You save me from the place of death.

14 Proud people are attacking me, God.
A gang of cruel men is trying to kill me.
They don’t respect you.

15 My Lord, you are a kind and merciful God.
You are patient, loyal, and full of love.” Psalm 86: 8-15 ERV

Will you join me this morning in worship? Let’s show some excessive admiration and love to the One, the Only, Father God, creator of heaven and earth!

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Don’t Limit God

Words of the Day: Fret Not, Trust, Delight, Commit, Rest, Cease & Inherit!!!

Now just reading these words without explanation should put a spark in your step today – Psalm 37 is filled with God’s promise to you – Don’t limit Him today.

Did you realize you can limit God? In the Gospels it says that Jesus went about healing and doing good but in His own home town He could do no mighty work because of their unbelief.

In Psalms it says that the children of Israel limited God. We can be guilty of the same thing today.

Make up your mind and establish your heart – don’t limit God! He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and all-loving. He desires to show Himself strong on your behalf.

“Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.” Psalm 37: 1-8 NKJV

Make today the day you take the limitations off God’s power to work in your life.

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Riding Out the Storm

Last night we had a really “good” wind storm! I say that tongue in cheek because in the desert, there is no such thing as a good wind storm.

The news showed some major dust clouds called Haboobs close to the cities and at the airport but we didn’t have anything that severe here. Blowing dust sent chair cushions flying and tossed a couple of patio chairs into the wash but no real damage.

This morning I remembered one dust storm from my childhood that was much worse. We lived in a remote little town on the edge of the desert. I was outside playing and my mom saw the dust cloud coming. She sent my brother to find me and bring me home.

As he and I got closer to our trailer the wind blew harder and we were getting pelted with sand. We weren’t going to make it home in time. My brother shielded me with his body until the dust storm passed by.

It didn’t last long but it was intense. My legs and arms had been beaten by the grains of sand but my brother experienced the worst of it.

My childhood thoughts were he saved me!

That experience is one that comes to mind every now and then. When I’m in a storm – physical or emotional, I remember how he sheltered me from the storm.

Spiritually, I’ve had many experiences to remind me of how my older brother, Jesus, has sheltered me during the storms of life.

“You are a strong tower,where I am safe from my enemies. You heard my promises, and you have blessed me, just as you bless everyonewho worships you.” Psalm 61:3 CEV

When we’re in a storm it seems it will last forever.

The key to weathering a storm is to remember we are never in it alone. The Lord is our strong tower and He keeps us safe in a sand storm or in the presence of our enemies!

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Some Things Should Be Cleaned Out

This weekend Dave is off on a weekend with our son so I am making good use of my time by doing some deep cleaning. I don’t like clutter and I don’t like mess.

Friday, I got out the leaf blower and cleaned up the deck and the patio. Dave’s really good at keeping that done but Thursday night we had a monsoon come through with winds, blowing dust and pine needs, rain and more dust.

Then yesterday it was time to hose off the patio chairs because of the dust, the rain and the tree pollen. After my prayer time and Bible reading this morning, I got up to get another cup of coffee and the refrigerator caught my eye. Since I’m going to be joining Dave and Koy on Tuesday I thought I really should go through the fridge and get rid of anything that might spoil. Yep, I went down that rabbit hole but it’s done now.

Brought myself back to my chair and laptop and these words came to mind. “Cleanse yourself from these things”. I knew the Lord was speaking to me spiritually.

“ In a big house there are not only things made of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some are of more use than others. Some are used every day. 21 If a man lives a clean life, he will be like a dish made of gold. He will be respected and set apart for good use by the owner of the house.

22 Turn away from the sinful things young people want to do. Go after what is right. Have a desire for faith and love and peace. Do this with those who pray to God from a clean heart. 23 Let me say it again. Have nothing to do with foolish talk and those who want to argue. It can only lead to trouble. 24 A servant owned by God must not make trouble. He must be kind to everyone. He must be able to teach. He must be willing to suffer when hurt for doing good.” II Timothy 2:20-24 NLV

That part about those who want to argue hits home. In high school and college, I was a debater. You choose one opinion, and I would debate the opposite side, whether I believed what I was saying or not. I was good at it. The Lord continues to teach me not to argue!

“There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven that are hated by Him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who are without guilt, 18 a heart that makes sinful plans, feet that run fast to sin, 19 a person who tells lies about someone else, and one who starts fights among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19 NLV

That’s a big list – pride, lying, murder, evil plans and running to carry them out, gossip and discord.

Now, I’m not trying to step on anybody’s toes but Scripture is given for our instruction and correction. Even the things that are silver and gold need to be polished so they keep their luster.

The Father wants what’s best for us! As the Holy Spirit ministers to our hearts, we should be willing to clean some things out.

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Let God Make Changes

There is always some well-meaning person who wants to make rules and regulations for us to live by and those rules are supposed to make us more holy.

In yesterday’s blog we read that the blood of Jesus has blotted out all the handwriting (the accusations, words of condemnation, guilty-of-sin actions) that were against us. Instead of judgement we receive redemption.

When I grew up, we had all sorts of rules that we needed to live by; no dancing, no playing cards, didn’t say gosh darn it because that was swearing and my freshman year in college, we had to sign a statement that we wouldn’t attend movies. My mom remembers that she couldn’t use scissors on Sunday when she was a young girl.

Holiness is never about what we do; it’s about our relationship with Christ who lives within us. I don’t do things for my husband to be a good wife; I do things for him because I love him and want to show him that love – and I hope that makes me a good wife.

Paul tells us that God blotted out the handwriting against us and follows it with how we should act and react to those who would like to set man-made rules for us to live by.

“So don’t let anyone make rules for you about eating and drinking or about Jewish customs (festivals, New Moon celebrations, or Sabbath days). 17 In the past these things were like a shadow that showed what was coming. But the new things that were coming are found in Christ. 18 Some people enjoy acting as if they are humble and love to worship angels. They always talk about the visions they have seen. Don’t listen to them when they say you are wrong because you don’t do these things. It is so foolish for them to feel such pride, because it is all based on their own human ideas. 19 They don’t keep themselves under the control of the head. Christ is the head, and the whole body depends on him. Because of Christ all the parts of the body care for each other and help each other. So the body is made stronger and held together as God causes it to grow.

20 You died with Christ and were made free from the powers that influence this world. So why do you act as if you still belong to the world? I mean, why do you follow rules like these: 21 “Don’t eat this,” “Don’t taste that,” “Don’t touch that”? 22 These rules are talking about earthly things that are gone after they are used. They are only human commands and teachings. 23 These rules may seem to be wise as part of a made-up religion in which people pretend to be humble and punish their bodies. But they don’t help people stop doing the evil that the sinful self wants to do.

Chapter 3 Your New Life

You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth. 3 Your old self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. 4 Yes, Christ is now your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory.” Colossians 2:16 – 3:4 ERV

If you ask the Lord to show you what things in your life don’t please Him, He will tell you. Be honest enough to tell Him you are willing to change those things but that you need His help. Since we know that all of God’s power lives in Christ and we live in Christ there will never be a power shortage when it comes to change.

The Apostle Paul also tells us “There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1

When God prompts us to change it comes with encouragement and not condemnation.

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How Great Is God

I woke up this morning singing “How great is our God, sing with me, How great is our God. All will see. How great, how great is our God!”

Daily we need to remind ourselves that our God, our Father, is the great God!

There are no other gods, that are greater than He. No power in the universe can overshadow God, our defender, deliverer, and our provider.

“ I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where will my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your feet go out from under you. He Who watches over you will not sleep. 4 Listen, He Who watches over Israel will not close his eyes or sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you. The Lord is your safe cover at your right hand. 6 The sun will not hurt you during the day and the moon will not hurt you during the night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all that is sinful. He will watch over your soul. 8 The Lord will watch over your coming and going, now and forever.” Psalm 121 NLV

Some of the obstacles and adversaries we face are physical but we can trust the Lord to watch over us and be our “safe cover” and our help.

Some obstacles are dogmas, philosophies, doctrines and train of thought that try to capture our thinking, rob our peace and deceive our minds.

“My children, you are a part of God’s family. You have stood against these false preachers and had power over them. You had power over them because the One Who lives in you is stronger than the one who is in the world.” I John 4:4 NLV

“ It is true, we live in a body of flesh. But we do not fight like people of the world. 4 We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. 5 We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:3-5 NLV

And sometimes the enemy we face is our own self-doubt. We feel we don’t measure up or we’re not good enough.

“ My children, let us not love with words or in talk only. Let us love by what we do and in truth. 19 This is how we know we are Christians. It will give our heart comfort for sure when we stand before Him. 20 Our heart may say that we have done wrong. But remember, God is greater than our heart. He knows everything.” I John 3:18-20 NLV

Our Father’s love for us is greater than our own self-doubt and condemning guilt.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 28 You heard Me say that I am going away. But I am coming back to you. If you love Me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father. The Father is greater than I.” John 14:27-28 NLV

The Father, Jesus said, “is greater than I”. So, that definitely makes the Father greater than us. His love never fails, He never leaves us or abandons us in our time of need. He gives us peace to replace our fears!

How great is our God – Sing with me – How great is our God. All will see How great, how great is our God!

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Look for the Good

Getting up this morning did you give thanks to the Lord? Or did you complain about what your day has in store?

Do you have a vehicle that runs – maybe even more than one? Praise the Lord! Do you have a job to go to? Praise the Lord.

Do you have people in your life that are abrasive and aggravating? Or folks who are loving, kind and fun to be around? Then Praise the Lord! The aggravating help you appreciate the loving.

Were you able to have a hot cup of coffee and even some breakfast? Praise the Lord.

Ok, so do you see where I’m going with this? There is always something to Praise the Lord for.

“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!…Everything the Lord does is good. Everything he does shows how loyal he is. 18 The Lord is near to everyone who sincerely calls to him for help.” Psalm 145:1-3, 17-18

“Thank the LORD for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people. 9 He satisfies those who are thirsty. He fills those who are hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:7-8

What is it in your life that you consider good?

Health, friends, family, career, cash in your pocket, a nice car, your boat, a new horse, an old well-trained horse, a shot gun, the right to bear arms – what? If it’s good, it’s a gift from God so make sure you thank Him today and that you look at all you have to be thankful for instead of wasting precious time being resentful for something “more” you think you should have.

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:17-18

Let praise be the start and the end of your conversations today.

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A Perfect Heart

This morning, I was reading in I Samuel 15. King Saul had disobeyed the command the Lord gave him. When Samuel confronted him, Saul said “the men” wanted to keep those animals to offer as sacrifice to the Lord. It’s amazing how he made justification for disobedience.

“…Then Samuel received this message from the Lord: 11 “Saul has stopped following me, so I am sorry that I made him king. He is not doing what I tell him.”…22 But Samuel answered (Saul), “Which pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obeying his commands? It is better to obey the Lord than to offer sacrifices to him. It is better to listen to him than to offer the fat from rams. ” I Samuel 15:10-22 ERV

To obey is better than sacrifice. What God desires is a heart that pleases Him, a heart that wants to follow His instruction. He’s not looking for our earthly perfection but for a willingness to obey.

“I try with all my heart to serve you. Help me obey your commands. 11 I study your teachings very carefully so that I will not sin against you. 12 Lord, you are worthy of praise! Teach me your laws.” Psalm 119:10-12 ERV

These are the words of King David. He was the man that replaced Saul as God’s chosen king.

Each morning a part of my daily prayer is “Lord, I want to please You. I want the things I do to honor You and reflect Your word”. And when I fail, I am quick to repent and receive His forgiveness and His strength for the next situation that may arise.

“But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. We can trust God to do this. He always does what is right. He will make us clean from all the wrong things we have done.” I John 1:9 ERV

Our short comings and failures shouldn’t draw us away from the Father, they should bring us closer to Him. We shouldn’t run and hide as Adam and Eve did in the garden. No, instead we should run to Him and find His help in our time of need. We have this promise.

“ My friends, the blood of Jesus gives us courage to enter the most holy place 20 by a new way that leads to life! And this way takes us through the curtain that is Christ himself.

21 We have a great high priest who is in charge of God’s house. 22  So let’s come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let’s keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water. 23 We must hold tightly to the hope we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us.” Hebrews 10:19-23 CEV

We can trust the ONE who made this promise to us, the One who gives us a clean heart and a clear conscience because of what Christ did in dying for us.

The following are words to a song we used to sing years ago, “A Perfect Heart” by Reba Rambo and Donnie McGuire.

Bless the Lord
Who reigns in beauty
Bless the Lord
Who reigns with wisdom and with power
Bless the Lord
Who reigns my life with so much love
He can make a perfect heart

Let’s not be like Saul who disobeyed and then tried to justify his actions; rather, let’s be like David who asked the Lord to create in Him a clean heart.

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He Is Good

That might not sound very profound to you because of course, doesn’t everyone know that God is good?

No, some don’t.

God’s goodness is called into question every day; fires, floods, earthquakes, family crisis, world events, loss of work, mental distress. You’ve heard the questions – if God is so good why does He allow things like this to happen? I’ll answer that the way I think Jesus did.

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

There is one who rules the earth and he delights in stealing, killing and destroying all that is good and making sure God gets blamed for it. We battle a real enemy but we win. In fact, we have already won.

“ I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

“But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!” I Corinthians 15:57 CEV

“ What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? 33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34 Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?…37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.” Romans 8:31-37 CEV

We have won more than a victory. How can there be more “than victory”?

I asked the Lord that once and He gave me this reply. It’s more than a victory because I fought the battle for you. I stripped Satan of his powers when I went to hell and came out victorious, that’s what is means when it says “in Christ” you triumph and have victory.

” God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:14-15 CEV

God is good! He is just, righteous, love. He is our peace and our strength. He is all we need in this life and for life eternal.

There is a segment of the song “Gratitude” that I love. It was going through my mind and heart this morning as I was writing.

“Oh, come on, my soul
Oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song
‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord”

Our praise is a weapon that strikes the heart of our enemy. Our praise is also a sweet aroma to those around us that draws them to the goodness of God.

Get up and praise God for He is good!

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God Delivers

I feel compelled to bring you another message on deliverance today. Yesterday we saw how the Lord delivered Israel from the Philistines using a shepherd boy and five smooth stones.

Many years later there was another king in Judah, his name was Jehoshaphat. He honored the Lord.

“Jehoshaphat followed his father’s example and obeyed and worshiped the Lord. And so the Lord blessed Jehoshaphat 5 and helped him keep firm control of his kingdom.” II Chronicles 17:4-5 CEV

But some years later three armies came together and waged war on Jehoshaphat. He brought the nation together and they prayed for God’s guidance and deliverance.

“the Lord says that you don’t need to be afraid or let this powerful army discourage you. God will fight on your side! 16 So here’s what you must do. Tomorrow the enemy armies will march through the desert around the town of Jeruel. March down and meet them at the town of Ziz as they come up the valley. 17  You won’t even have to fight. Just take your positions and watch the Lord rescue you from your enemy. Don’t be afraid. Just do as you’re told. And as you march out tomorrow, the Lord will be there with you.18 Jehoshaphat bowed low to the ground and everyone worshiped the Lord. ” II Chronicles 20: 15-18 CEV

Now let’s jump to the end of the story.

“Listen my friends, if we trust the Lord God and believe what these prophets have told us, the Lord will help us, and we will be successful.” 21 Then he explained his plan and appointed men to march in front of the army and praise the Lord for his holy power by singing: “Praise the Lord! His love never ends.”

22 As soon as they began singing, the Lord confused the enemy camp, 23 so that the Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out! II Chronicles 20:20-23 CEV

The Lord delivered them from their enemies. Their weapons were obedience and praise. The Psalms tell us that God inhabits the praises of His people. There is something about heart-felt praise that brings the power of God into our circumstances.

Now one last statement on this battle.

“ When the other nations heard how the Lord had fought against Judah’s enemies, they were too afraid 30 to invade Judah. The Lord let Jehoshaphat’s kingdom be at peace.” II Chronicles 20:29-30 CEV

I cannot repeat often enough how faithful the Lord is. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. These aren’t just nice stories; they are examples of God’s faithfulness to the people who love Him.

“ I did not give up waiting for the Lord. And He turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up out of the hole of danger, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock, making my feet sure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 NLV

I confidently say, trust God – He delivers!

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