Category: Faithfulness

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Sunrise – Sunset

I hope you forgive me for being a little later with my blog this morning. Dave and I have been sitting on the patio, visiting and enjoying our morning coffee. You see, it’s a beautiful morning. 66 degrees, unusually cool for this time of year. The dove, quail, cardinals and sparrows have come to feed and are quite entertaining.

Did you have a good day with your friend, God, yesterday? I did. I’m so glad He’s in control and I’m not.

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

“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.” James 1:17 ERV

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.

However, 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

Dave and I were talking about a friend we have who we know would do anything he possibly can for anyone of his friends if they had a need. He’s just that kind of person. If a human can have that kind of character then God definitely can and does.

We should never doubt the kindness and goodness of our heavenly Father. In Christ we have been made right with Him; in Christ we have new life and in Him we have the power to live a life of purpose.

Let the sunrise and the sunset serve as a daily reminder of His faithfulness and His unchanging character.

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My Hiding Place

When I sat in the peaceful quiet of the morning, I heard my heart say, “Lord, I trust You”. Nothing earth shaking, nothing causing any fear or anxiousness, just a resolute confidence. I trust You!

And then I went to my Bible and read. There was the confidence of Samuel, Elisha, David, Jairus and the woman who had a chronic bleeding issue. They all said the same thing in one way or another. “Lord, I trust You”.

Years back there was a praise song that we sang quite often. The lyrics began to run through my mind on an endless loop. They still are. You Are My Hiding Place.

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With the songs of deliverance
When ever I’m afraid
I will trust in you
I will trust in you
Let the weak say
I am strong,
With the strength of the Lord

These lyrics come from the Psalms.

“That is why your loyal followers pray to you while there is still time. Then when trouble rises like a flood, it will not reach them. 7 You are a hiding place for me. You protect me from my troubles. You surround me and protect me, so I sing about the way you saved me. Selah

8 The Lord says, “I will teach you and guide you in the way you should live. I will watch over you and be your guide.” Psalm 32:6-8 ERV

Those people I was reading about this morning – Elisha, Samuel, Jairus and the woman – all felt weak in one way or another. They all faced circumstances that seemed overwhelming but instead of letting fear control their situation, they said “Lord I will trust in You”.

“People of Israel, descendants of Jacob, you may be weak and worthless, but do not be afraid. I myself will help you.” This is what the Lord himself says. “I am the Holy One of Israel, the one who saves you.” Isaiah 41:14 ERV

Do you feel weak or afraid? Then go to your hiding place, the Lord God, and say, “I trust You”.

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Godly Character

It’s very important to me that we have a true view of the Father’s character.

Growing up when preachers on television and in the movies were characterized for preaching hell, fire and brimstone, and one of the popular songs of the day was “God’s Gonna Get You For That”, a cloud was cast on God’s character.

God’s goodness is something I marvel at, almost on a daily basis. The Apostle Paul wrote:

“God has been kind to you. He has been very patient, waiting for you to change. But you think nothing of his kindness. Maybe you don’t understand that God is kind to you so that you will decide to change your lives.” Romans 2:4 ERV

And James writes this: “ 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.” James 1:17 ERV

I didn’t realize until just now that James 1:17 is an ALWAYS verse.

Probably everyone reading this has heard at least one teaching on the fruit of the Spirit. These are the character traits that the Holy Spirit develops in our lives once we are born again. I see them as being part of our spiritual DNA. (Divine Nature Attributes)

When we’re born naturally we have inherited traits like blue eyes, dark hair, olive complexion, left-hand dominance. Well, when we receive new life from the heavenly Father we inherit His traits and characteristics.

“But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful self. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. 25 We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25 ERV

Our heavenly Father’s life displays all of these. Jesus’ earthly life was an example to us on how to act like the Father. His life was selfless, kind, good and loving.

I heard a wonderful teaching on the goodness of God. Goodness is one of God’s attributes. He is always good! He can’t be anything but good; He is, and everything He does is, motivated by love. His love is never tainted with selfishness or envy so everything He does is good.

Don’t attribute the bad things that happen in your life to God. When you do you are misguided in your thinking. The enemy, the one responsible for the destruction in this world, takes pride in getting you to mistrust God and to lose your confidence in His goodness.

Remember these words from the Apostle Paul: “Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. 9 And do what you learned and received from me—what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 ERV

Let’s keep our thinking on the Father and His character and we will see true and lasting fruit grow in our lives.

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Always and Forever

Yesterday I shared with you a few verses on the Father’s character that NEVER change. Today I want us to look at a few that are ALWAYS the same.

Realizing that God has chosen to hold Himself accountable to His word gives me such tremendous confidence in the Lord. He will ALWAYS keep His word.

Just this morning I was reading in the Psalms and saw this verse:

“The Lord is always kind to those who worship him, and he keeps his promises to their descendants 18 who faithfully obey him.” Psalm 103:17-18 CEV

This ties in with the verses we read yesterday from I Corinthians 13. Love, God, is never jealous or rude. There is also an always verse in I Corinthians 13.

“Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. 8 Love never fails!” I Corinthians 13:7-8 CEV

One of the last things Jesus told his disciples before He ascended back into heaven was this:

” Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19-20 CEV

I will be with you always is a promise without an end date. Always means exactly that – always.

Just a couple more before I end my thoughts on the Father’s unchangeable character.

“ 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

Now, that’s a lot to process. ALWAYS kind, always supportive, always with us and always leading us to victory!

“Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23:6 CEV

Forever and always our heavenly Father’s love will not fail.

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Thankful for Never

There are two words in the Bible that stop me every time I read them. Those words are never and always.

Today I want to focus on never.

“ Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13:5 AMP

“Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 CEV

We can confidently go about our lives each day, knowing that we are not alone. Our Father has promised that He will never, under any circumstances, desert us! And He follows up with a second promise, He never changes. He is always the same. What He promised when the Bible was written is still a valid promise today.

Let’s take a look at a few more “Nevers”.

“Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.8 Love will never end.” I Corinthians 13:6-8a ERV

That’s a lot of “nevers”. But that’s how God is – never gives us, never stops trusting, never loses hope, never quits! God doesn’t quit us! Yes, we fail; we disappoint; we even walk away but God never quits us! He’s always there waiting, hoping, trusting, unfailing!

The “Never loses hope” part reminds me so much of the Prodigal Son’s father. The Scripture says that each day he would watch the road, looking for his son’s return. Even when we walk away from God the Father, He watches lovingly, patiently, unfailingly looking for our return.

Do we do the same with those that walk away from us, or do we just write them off? Love never fails – as we experience God’s unfailing love, we can begin to show the same to others.

Love never gives up!

Remember Peter asking the Lord how many times he had to forgive when he was wronged? Peter thought he was making some grand gesture when he asked, “seven times seven?”. Jesus brought forgiveness out of man’s perspective and into God’s when He told Peter, “seventy seven”. Love never quits and forgiveness is an act of love.

” Peter came up to the Lord and asked, “How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough?”

22  Jesus answered: Not just 7 times, but 77 times!” Matthew 18:21-22 CEV

We must look at forgiveness from the Father’s point of view. He forgives and forgets even when it’s our 100th screw up of the day. He doesn’t give up on us – He’s always there waiting and reaching out to us. He’s never refused anyone yet.

I’m so thankful for God’s nevers. His love never fails!

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The Little Things

We have been experiencing some really hot, dry weather. The skies have been a dusty brown making the air quality poor. The weatherman has been predicting the summer monsoons will be starting soon but it seems we have been waiting in vain.

However…late yesterday afternoon the clouds began to gather, and we were blessed with a sprinkle. Not a shower by any means, but a sprinkle. The temperature dropped into the 90’s, the dust in the atmosphere settled.

Thank you, Lord, for the little things!

“The Lord made the heavens and everything in them by his word. 7 He scooped up the ocean and stored the water. 8 Everyone in this world should worship and honor the Lord!” Psalm 33:6-7 CEV

This morning, we have blue sky, white clouds and a gentle breeze. Chance of rain in the forecast. It brings hope to a dry land.

Sometimes, just sometimes, our hearts and emotions get as dry as this parched desert. Circumstances heat up and would like to dry us out the way the sun dries the earth. What do we do then? Do we get crusty and prickly like a cholla cactus? Or do we lean into God?

“O God, You are my God. I will look for You with all my heart and strength. My soul is thirsty for You. My flesh is weak wanting You in a dry and tired land where there is no water. 2 So I have seen You in the holy place. And I have seen Your power and Your shining-greatness. 3 My lips will praise You because Your loving-kindness is better than life.” Psalm 63:1-2 NLV

In the dry places, our praise is like a sprinkling of rain. It brings refreshing; it lifts the spirits and waters the soul.

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy.” Philippians 4:4 ERV

There is always something to be thankful for. The first thing that comes to mind is God’s unconditional, unfailing love! He is for us and has promised to never leave or abandon us. That’s more than enough to get us through the hard times.

I would have loved a good frog-strangling rain last night but I’m thankful for the sprinkle that brought a refreshing and a hope of things to come!

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Lessons from the Sea

For those of us who love the sea, the Lord has a lesson for you on His faithfulness.

When we went to Greece we would spend each evening sitting on the balcony listening to the waves as we watched the sunset. Then each morning we would walk the seashore as the sun rose in the sky.

It was a beautiful way to start and end each day. It was a reminder of God’s faithfulness. The sunrise and sunset, the ebb and flow of the tide. It’s been happening like that since the beginning of time.

God is faithful.

“Our Lord, you are King! Majesty and power are your royal robes. You put the world in place,
 and it will never be moved. 2 You have always ruled, and you are eternal. 3 The ocean is roaring, Lord! The sea is pounding hard. 4 Its mighty waves are majestic, but you are even more majestic, and you rule over all.
5 Your decisions are firm, and your temple will always be beautiful and holy.” Psalm 93 CEV

The Lord has proven His faithfulness through His creation. His word is filled with His unchangeable promises.

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

“Christ says “Yes” to all God’s promises. This is why we have Christ to say “Amen” for us to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 1:20 CEV

“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.” Psalm 103:3-4 CEV

“I am surrounded by trouble, but you protect me against my angry enemies. With your own powerful arm you keep me safe. 8 You, Lord, will always treat me with kindness. Your love never fails. You have made us what we are. Don’t give up on us now!” Psalm 138:7-8 CEV

Each time you are at the sea or are picturing it in your mind remember God’s faithfulness. Let every sunrise and sunset be a reminder that God always treats you with kindness and His love never fails.

Nature is here as a testimony of God’s goodness and grace!

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Fixing What’s Broken

Yesterday I was reflecting on times when my dad and Dave have helped me and our kids fix what was broken. I remember specifically my dad telling me “Let me have it and you watch. You’ll see, I will fix it”.

This morning, I’m recycling a blog from a number of years back. It teaches us a lesson of how God fixes our broken mess.

I heard a story once about a little boy who had a broken wagon. He came to his father with tears streaming down his cheeks asking his father to fix the wagon. It was the child’s favorite toy. Each time the father would reach for the toy, the child would tighten his grip and tell his father of another fond memory or special time he had in his wagon.

Finally, the father in loving firmness said to his son, “If you want me to fix it, you have to let go. You can trust me. I love you and I’ll fix your wagon.”

How many times have we come to the Father with our “wagon” that needs fixing? Asking for help but not wanting to let go!

“7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.” I Peter 5:7-9 AMP

What is it that’s broken in your life? Is it your heart – your relationships – your health – your finances – your peace – your hope?

Our Father can fix all of it. He wants us to bring Him our cares, knowing that He will provide us with the help we need.

“Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you, Lord! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.” Psalm 42:11 CEV

“Just as parents are kind to their children, the Lord is kind to all who worship him” Psalm 103:13 CEV

“ 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 grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

We are to cast our cares on the Father. That means our worries, our fears and our problems. If we don’t, our enemy will seize upon our fears and defeat us. But when we do, we will be able to stand strong in faith (believing God to fix it) and be victorious.

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Steadfast & Immovable

Last weekend while Dave & I were at the Grand Canyon I was intrigued by the trees that grew with such twisted trunks.

I did a quick on-line search and found that the twisted growth was attributed to the rocky ground, exposed roots and the windy conditions near the canyons rim. I took several pictures but was disappointed that I couldn’t capture their natural beauty.

These trees that grew up through the boulders, not only survived but thrived.

Imagine that. Surviving and thriving in adverse and harsh conditions. You know I’m going to apply this to Scripture, right?

“But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory! 58 My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile. I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

The King James version of this verse says that we are to be steadfast and immovable, like those trees I admired so much at the Grand Canyon. They don’t budge in the storm. They bend but they remain steadfast.

“ Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

The Christian life is not one without storms or battles. However, we are promised the victory and the ability to remain standing when the storm passes, not in our own strength but because of God’s infallible word.

Our victory in this life comes from our faith in what Christ did for us on the cross.

“Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 CEV

The Apostle Paul writes that we are more than conquerors. I once asked the Lord “How do we become more than conquerors”? To be a conqueror means we win the battle but what makes us more than conquerors? It’s when we follow Him, trust Him to defeat the enemy and then enjoy the victory.

“ In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.” Romans 8:37 CEV

Like Gideon and his 300 men. They blew the trumpets, revealed their torches but they stood on the rim above the camp and let the enemy defeat themselves. More than conquerors.

Be encouraged today. Stand. Steadfast. Immovable.

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The Place Where I Worship

You know Dave and I took the weekend away and went to the Grand Canyon. Pictures don’t do it justice. It’s a glorious place, filled with beauty and a testimony to the Lord.

“The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made.
2 Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power.” Psalm 19:1-2 ERV

God has given us so much that tells of His grandeur and His mighty power. The waves rush to the shore, waterfalls cascade over the rockface, sunrises and sunsets, pillowing clouds filling the sky, meadows of wild flowers in bloom – they all tell of God’s goodness and grace.

“The Lord said: Heaven is my throne; the earth is my footstool.” Isaiah 66:1 CEV

The other night I was reminded of a song that is near and dear to my heart. It was written in the 1940’s by Red Foley, who lived in Hollywood and wrote songs for the early cowboy movies. This one has been recorded by Roy Rogers and the Sons of Pioneers. It was the theme song for us when we went to ranches holding weekend long gatherings for cowboys. This song filled my heart as I stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon, breathless while observing the beauty.

“Oh, the place where I worship is the wide open spaces
Built by the hand of the Lord
Where the trees of the forest are like pipes of an organ
And the breeze plays an amen choir.

All the stars are the candles and they light up the mountains
Mountains are altars of God
Oh, the place where I worship is the wide open spaces
Where the sun warms the peaceful sod.

In your heart take a good look if you follow the Good Book
You surely find your reward
Oh the place where I worship is the wide open spaces
Built by the hand of the Lord.”

There is so much going on in the world that fights to take our eyes off the Lord. We need to say with the Psalmist:

“One day in your temple is better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather serve in your house, than live in the homes of the wicked. 11 Our Lord and our God, you are like the sun and also like a shield. You treat us with kindness and with honor, never denying any good thing to those who live right. 12 Lord God All-Powerful, you bless everyone who trusts you.” Psalm 84:10-12 CEV

Draw into the Lord’s presence, worship Him in the places around you and let His peace fill your heart!

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