Category: God’s Love

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God is Trustworthy

COMPLETE TRUST!

What an amazing truth! I’m not sure I can say that I have complete trust – if that shocks some of you, I apologize but I am being honest. I know in my heart of hearts that God is always faithful, His love is unconditional and His Word never fails but I don’t always let that lead me.

I guess I’m kind of like Peter. This morning I was reading in John 21. Peter and some of the others had gone fishing. It had been a couple of weeks since Jesus’ resurrection but they were no longer living in daily contact with Jesus. In fact, this account says it was the third time they had encountered Jesus since His resurrection.

They were probably at a loss of direction, so they went back to doing what they had done before they began following Jesus. They went fishing and having fished all night, they caught nothing.

As they were bringing their boats back to shore, Jesus called to them and told them to cast their nets to the right side of their boat. The Bible said they didn’t recognize that it was Jesus but they obeyed. They trusted Him. Their nets filled with fish and almost broke.

John told Peter, “It’s Jesus.” Peter threw on his outer coat, jumped in the water and headed to shore. Jesus was waiting with fresh bread and grilled fish.

I find it interesting that Jesus met them again where He had originally met them, at the seaside, and called them to be fishers of men. Jesus fed them physically and then He asked them to follow Him, once again.

“Then he said to Peter, ‘Follow me!‘” John 21:19 ERV

In spite of Peter’s actions – his denial of knowing Christ, his fear of the religious leaders after the crucifixion, his return to his old ways of fishing – Jesus still reached out to Peter, restored him and reminded him to trust.

I know that God can’t and doesn’t lie – I know His love never fails – I know that He is faithful to a thousand generations! I know that He is my Savior, my healer, my provider, my counselor, my peace, my protection, my all-in-all!

Then why do I let fear or anxiety, frustration or anger, or self will invade my world? It’s because like Peter I take my eyes off Jesus and look at my own efforts. I neglect to “consider” the one thing that always provides the right answer.

The Apostle Paul said that we are to renew our minds and not be conformed to this world. Jesus went aside to pray and spend time with His Father on many occasions, renewing His mind and refreshing His spirit.

Complete Trust!

It’s something we grow toward and grow in as we spend more time in God’s word and in prayer, bringing our minds into obedience with His word. There is only one thing that has always been right – God and His word!

Trust God and follow Him!

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Wondrous Love!

I was thinking of one of my last visits with my mother before she died.

We always talked about Jesus and her desire to depart this life and join the Lord and so many of her family and friends in heaven. She was 97 1/2 years old.

She told me to tell her friends and our family that would still be on earth after her passing not to cry, have a party. She would be waiting for all of us to join her there someday. Thinking about that conversation this morning an old hymn came to mind, “When We All Get to Heaven”.

Sing the wonderous love of Jesus;
sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions, bright and blessed,
He’ll prepare for us a place.

Refrain:
When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!

While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
clouds will overspread the sky;
but when trav’ling days are over,
not a shadow, not a sigh! [Refrain]

Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold.
Soon the pearly gates will open;
we shall tread the streets of gold. [Refrain]

The wondrous love of Jesus has been poured out on us in our life on earth and we will continue to be wrapped in His love when we leave here, when we “all get to heaven”.

“ Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.'” John 14:1-3 CEV

Be encouraged today – God is our faithful Father. He is our strength, our deliverer, our protector, our healer, our Savior. We can depend on Him!

“I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. 13 Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:12-13 CEV

Sing the Wondrous love of Jesus!

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From the Heart

I’m not normally someone who has restless sleep but this week has been a booger!

Tossing and turning all night long.

However, with that as my back story, coffee in hand, quiet surrounding me, except for the birds I have been listening to my heart. And wouldn’t you know it…I heard a song.

“Oh Lord, you’re beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with Holy fear.” by Keith Green, 1980

1980, I was a young mother with two small children, ages 5 1/2 and 4. I had recently experienced a miscarriage and I was learning to lean on the Lord’s strength in ways that were beyond my years.

This song became the anthem of my heart. “Your face is all I seek. Your grace abounds to me”.

The abounding grace of Jesus – His grace that covered all my sin, His grace that brought me into right standing with the Father, His grace that saved me.

“ God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. 6 God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God.

7-8  Christ sacrificed his life’s blood to set us free, which means our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because of God’s gift of undeserved grace to us. God has great wisdom and understanding,  9 and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways.” Ephesians 1:5-9 CEV

“ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NJKV

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:7-11 NKJV

We have God’s promise that when we seek His kingdom, His way of doing things, we will find it and not only will be find it but we will be rewarded for seeking Him.

“ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

Good days or bad days. Rest filled days or restless days, it doesn’t matter. We come to Him and praise Him from the heart and He will do the rest.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3  and you refresh my life.” Psalm 23:1-3 CEV

Yes Lord, You are beautiful and I will praise you with all my heart!

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God Uses the Unusable

Do you know who Rahab was? She was a prostitute who lived in Jericho. Would you be surprised if I told you she was used of God to aid the Israelites in their destruction of that city? Talk about using some who was considered unusable – it would be her story.

Rahab’s home was on the city wall. I don’t know if there was a red-light district in Jericho but immediately upon entering the city of Jericho, the spies Joshua sent out went to Rahab’s house. I guess that they felt strangers going to the house of a harlot wouldn’t garner much attention because certainly there must be a steady stream of men going in and out of her house. But the arrival of two Israelites in Jericho didn’t go unnoticed.

The king sent and questioned Rahab as to where the spies were and she lied saying that they must have already left the city and if the king sent soldiers after them, they could probably catch up with the spies. She had hid them on her roof under the drying flax.

Rahab told the spies that the people of Jericho had lived in fear of the Israelites since they heard of how the Lord parted the Red Sea for them and then helped them defeat the kings, Og and Sihon in the wilderness.

“She said, “I know that the LORD has given this land to your people. You frighten us. Everyone living in this country is afraid of you. 10 We are afraid because we have heard about the ways that the LORD helped you. We heard that he dried up the Red Sea when you came out of Egypt… 13 Tell me that you will allow my family to live—my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all their families. Promise me that you will save us from death.” Joshua 2:9-13

I think it’s interesting that her country lived in fear for the past 40 years – since they heard about the Red Sea parting and yet, the Israelites had been walking around in the wilderness for 40 years afraid of the giants in the land on the other side of the Jordan. The report of God’s ability to fight for Israel had left their enemies in mortal fear and yet the Israelites didn’t have faith in God’s word but rather “considered” the giants in the land.

“ The spies said: You made us promise to let you and your family live. We will keep our promise, but you can’t tell anyone why we were here. You must tie this red rope on your window when we attack, and your father and mother, your brothers, and everyone else in your family must be here with you.” Joshua 2:17-20

A few days after the spies returned to their camp, Joshua set the battle plan in order and the Israelites took Jericho and everyone in the city was destroyed except for Rahab and her family. Not one Israelite died in the battle.

The Israelites had lived in fear of the giants in the promised land but the people in the promised land had lived in fear of God.

What giants are keeping you from God’s promised land today? What is it that seems so large, that you can’t conquer it? “Consider not” the giant that has paralyzed you in the past but instead consider God’s promise of blessing. When you put your faith in God and His word, He will go before you and cause you to rise victorious.

God loves using those who the world thinks are unusable.

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Enjoy the Sonshine

One of the things I enjoy the most about living in Arizona is the amount of sunshine we get to enjoy. The sunrises and sunsets are absolutely gorgeous but it’s the warmth of the “all-day” sunshine that really touches my soul.

I am so grateful that the Lord has brought me to this place. This is my home but more importantly, it is a daily reminder of the goodness and blessings of God.

Oh, how I love the Lord…I never want to take His love for me for granted!

“But I will sing about your strength. I will rejoice in your love every morning. You have been my place of safety, the place I can run to when troubles come. 17 I will sing praises to you, my source of strength. You, God, are my place of safety. You are the God who loves me!” Psalm 59:16-17 ERV

“For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! 39 The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NLV

As much as the sunshine warms my soul, it is the Sonshine that gives me a victorious life each day. This morning my heart once again breaks out with one of the old hymns I learned as a child. “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”/

” O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”

I pray that you let everything in life dim this morning so that you may see Jesus shining bright.

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Greener Pastures

Did you have a busy weekend? Was it hard to find time to rest? Were there too many distractions or unsettling circumstances that caused you to fret?

Some days are like that. Some days it feels as if we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Those are the times that God reminds us to follow Him and His leading. He knows what we need better than we do.

This morning this blog is for you!

“The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. 3 He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name. 

4 Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me. 5 You are making a table of food ready for me in front of those who hate me. You have poured oil on my head. I have everything I need. 6 For sure, You will give me goodness and loving-kindness all the days of my life. Then I will live with You in Your house forever.” Psalm 23 NLV

We have everything we need when we are close to Him. Rest. Quiet. Strength. Right Living. Worry Free. Comfort. Peace. Goodness. Loving-Kindness.

Somehow, Psalm 23 seemed to be the perfect reading for the 23rd day of February.

Only seven weeks into the new year and already so many are loaded down by fear and worry, uneasiness and care. God never intended for our lives to be in such turmoil. Regardless of the circumstances we have His promise of peace and rest.

Look up. See the Shepherd. Let Him lead you to green pastures and still waters. Lay down and rest. Let Him give you the comfort that only He can provide!

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Always Thinking About Us

When you woke this morning, God was thinking about you!

As you go through your day, His thoughts are always on you. His desire is for your best. He loves you so deeply and is thinking of ways to show you His best.

King David said that God’s thoughts to us were so many that they couldn’t be counted. Jeremiah, the prophet, said that God’s thoughts toward us were for our success.

As you go through your day, if you stop and think, God will be thinking of you. I hope you will take time to thank Him that you’re always on His mind and in His heart!

“Great blessings belong to those who trust in the LORD, for those who do not turn to demons and false gods for help. LORD my God, you have done many amazing things! You have made great plans for us—too many to list. I could talk on and on about them, because there are too many to count.” Psalm 40: 4 &5 ERV

“‘ I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.’ This message is from the LORD. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.'” Jeremiah 29:11 ERV

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:17-18 CEV

Even when our thoughts are not on Him, He is thinking of us!

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True Love Lasts

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you! I thank you for spending a small portion of your day with me.

This morning it’s only appropriate that I bring you a message of love straight from the Father’s heart. But really, I believe that’s what I do every morning.

These are the words that the Apostle John wrote in the first chapter of his book which chronicled the life of Jesus. John is often referred to as the disciple that Jesus loved. John was one of Jesus’ closest friends, he was one of the people on earth who knew Jesus the best.

“The Word became a man and lived among us. We saw his divine greatness—the greatness that belongs to the only Son of the Father. The Word was full of grace and truth. 15 John told people about him. He said loudly, ‘This is the one I was talking about when I said, “The one who is coming after me is greater than I am, because he was living before I was even born.”‘

16 Yes, the Word was full of grace and truth, and from him we all received one blessing after another. 17 That is, the law was given to us through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son is the one who has shown us what God is like. He is himself God and is very close to the Father,” John 1:14-18 ERV

The reason Jesus came to earth and lived as a man was to show us all what God was like. Jesus embodied the loving kindness, the grace and mercy of the Father. Jesus lived a life of compassion and healing. He comforted those who were hurting and outcast in society.

“ Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV

Because of God’s great love He gave what was most important to Him, He gave us His Son so that we could experience this wonderful love of God.

“The Lord came to us from far away, saying, “I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. So I have helped you come to Me with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:2-4 NLV

God doesn’t just have love, He is love! His total being is the embodiment of love and He sent His Son to share that love with us.

“ We were weak and could not help ourselves. Then Christ came at the right time and gave His life for all sinners. 7 No one is willing to die for another person, but for a good man someone might be willing to die. 8 But God showed His love to us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8 NLV

God’s love is true. God’s love is eternal and God’s love has been given freely to all of us. True love lasts forever!

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My Choice

What I’m about to say may shock you. I am pro-choice.

Don’t stop reading. Let me explain.

“My body and mind may fail, but you are my strength and my choice forever.” Psalm 73:26 CEV

“You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe.” Psalm 16:5 CEV

“ Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! 4 Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. 5 God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. 6 God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God.7-8  Christ sacrificed his life’s blood to set us free, which means our sins are now forgiven.” Ephesians 1:3-7 CEV

I woke up this morning thinking how thankful I am that God chose me – He chooses us! And then I heard my heart say, “Father, I make You my choice”. Yes, I am very definitely pro-choice. God doesn’t demand that we love Him, He give us the choice.

You all know I love getting up early in the morning and starting my day in the quiet. It didn’t use to be like that.

I didn’t always enjoy being alone with just my thoughts. My heart would become anxious; I would want to turn on the tv or the radio – anything to block out the silence, anything not to focus on the unrest or the distress that I felt churning in my spirit.

Maybe you’re like that. No wanting to get up and be “alone” with yourself and with the Father. Wanting to get up and get going right away to keep yourself from pausing in the quiet of the morning…

King David wrote in the Psalms to “be still and KNOW that I AM God”. Know = to be intimately acquainted with, a deep personal knowledge or understanding.

“God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 And so, we won’t be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea..10 Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.” 11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:1,2,10,11 CEV

This verse says to calm down where the KJV says be still. Take time to let what you just heard sink in.

God has made the choice to be our strength, our peace, our help, our defender, our protection and our Savior. We need to make the choice to “calm down” and “be still” so we can learn that He is God and He has chosen to be kind to us.

It’s our choice.

It was reading, learning and applying God’s word that brought me peace.

” 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 4:16 ERV

When I come to His throne, in the quiet of the morning, I find grace, mercy, kindness and help. I find Jesus! I can’t imagine starting a day without this time.

The choice is ours! My choice is to choose God!

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Real Friendship

Friendship – true friendship, is a gift from God.

Folks that will be with you in good times and bad. We see how when disaster strikes that a community will rally around someone – helping to provide food, clothing, shelter and money. Even strangers react in time of need.

Friends just want to hang with you when they could be doing other things. Friends want to hear your voice even though you might not have anything interesting to say. Those are the friends that will be there for you when things are good or bad – true friends. The ones who will tell you the truth even when it hurts your feelings – that’s friendship.

Around here we can communicate that sense of friendship with just a couple of words. Fire? Happy? Sometimes it’s just Dave and I around the fire, talking about our plans and dreams. Other times we have all the chairs filled or maybe it’s just one or two who dropped by. It’s always special to accept the invitation to share someone else’s fire.

An invitation to share our fire or join a happy hour is a time of laughter and conversation – a time of friendship.

The Bible tells us that we have a friend that sticks closer than a brother. That friend is God. Yes, God has friends.

Abraham was called the friend of God. Abraham believed God and knew God wouldn’t lie to him so he could do what God asked of him knowing it would always turn out right. Isn’t that what friends do? Believe that they won’t be lied to and help out when asked regardless of how much it may inconvenience them personally. Why? Because this is my friend and they would do the same for me it I asked.

“This shows the full meaning of the Scriptures that say, “Abraham believed God, and because of this faith he was accepted as one who is right with God.” Abraham was called “God’s friend.”” James 2: 23 ERV

“And not only will we be saved, but we also rejoice right now in what God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of Jesus that we are now God’s friends.” Romans 5:11 ERV

Friendships need to be cultivated. They come from spending time together. God desires that with us.

Isn’t it time you said to Him – Fire? Happy? I guarantee He’ll join you and He’ll be glad you asked.

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