Category: God’s Love

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Tell The Next Generation

I know I’ve told you this before, but Dave and I have three young grandchildren who live within an hour from us.

It’s great living this close and being with them as often as we can, in fact, they are going for a “sleep over” next weekend. Something they, and us, are very excited about. Yesterday, we spent the day with our grandson. He celebrated is 10th birthday just last week.

We went to the large aquarium in our area and then out to lunch. He said it was a best birthday and that’s what we’d hoped it would be. Making memories and sharing love is the legacy we want to leave with all our grandchildren, grown and littles.

I was reading one of my favorite Psalms, one that I share the second half with all you on a regular basis, but this morning it’s the first half of the Psalm that I’d like to share.

“I will praise you, my God and King, and always honor your name. 2 I will praise you each day and always honor your name. 3 You are wonderful, Lord, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand.

4 Each generation will announce to the next your wonderful and powerful deeds. 5 I will keep thinking about your marvelous glory and your mighty miracles. 6 Everyone will talk about your fearsome deeds, and I will tell all nations how great you are. 7 They will celebrate and sing about your matchless mercy and your power to save.

8 You are merciful, Lord! You are kind and patient and always loving. 9 You are good to everyone, and you take care of all your creation. 10 All creation will thank you, and your loyal people will praise you. 11 They will tell about your marvelous kingdom and your power. 12 Then everyone will know about the mighty things you do and your glorious kingdom.
13 Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever.” Psalm 145:1-13 CEV

If we tell our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren about our favorite things – fishing, camping, trips, ice cream, sports and vacations, we should most definitely tell them about our wonderful Lord and heavenly Father.

We tell them about Jesus, not in a condemning way, but we tell them of His wonderful love, mercy and grace. We tell them stories of what God has done in our lives so that they will know they can depend on Him in every situation. We tell them that God never wants them to be afraid, and He will never leave them alone.

Make it a point to tell the next generation of the Goodness of God!

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Hidden Dangers

Just a couple of days ago I shared the verses from Deuteronomy 28 – the blessing verses. A couple of those say “blessed in the city and in the field”, “blessed coming in and going out”. Then Psalm 91 says

“God will save you from hidden dangers
    and from deadly diseases.
4 You can go to him for protection.
    He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies.
    You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.
5 You will have nothing to fear at night
    and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day.
6 You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark
    or terrible suffering that comes at noon.
7 A thousand people may fall dead at your side
    or ten thousand right beside you,
    but nothing bad will happen to you!
8 All you will have to do is watch,
    and you will see that the wicked are punished.
9 You trust in the Lord for protection.
    You have made God Most High your place of safety.
10 So nothing bad will happen to you.
    No diseases will come near your home.
11 He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.
12 Their hands will catch you
    so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.
13 You will have power to trample on lions
    and poisonous snakes.
14 The Lord says, “If someone trusts me, I will save them.
    I will protect my followers who call to me for help.
15 When my followers call to me, I will answer them.
    I will be with them when they are in trouble.
    I will rescue them and honor them.
16 I will give my followers a long life
    and show them my power to save.” Psalm 91:3-16 ERV

This seems to be such a good word in light of the events of the last few days. The dangers in life are hidden from our view so many times, but God is faithful!

He is always near to provide and protect! I will put my hope and trust in Him.

We need to be willing to die for our faith, but we do not need to be afraid. The Apostle Paul lived daily with the thought that his life could be taken but it did not stop him from proclaiming the gospel. He did not fear.

“ I honestly expect and hope I will never do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ.

21 If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more.” Philippians 1:20-21 CEV

Let us continue to boldly live for Christ without fear, knowing that our Father walks each day with us.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for those who are in fear over the conditions of our world. I pray that they are flooded with a sense of your peace and protection. Let your words bring confidence to their hearts. May they know if they should walk through the valley of the shadow of death, they can fear no evil for you are with them. Amen. and Amen.”

Father, I trust you!

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More Than Enough

This morning I got up in a cooking mood. You know the kind that tells you to leave everything else behind and get into the kitchen. Cooking/Baking is my love language!

Our son sent me his recipe for “Sunday Gravy” earlier this week. It just a big pot of red marinara sauce filled with pork and beef. It makes me happy just to think about it.

Anyway, I bought all the ingredients, did the math and figured I could mix the whole thing in my red, enamelware, 7 qt Dutch oven. When I got to the step to add the browned meat and ribs I realized there was no way all that would fit in the pot.

More than enough – my cup runneth over!

Dave brought in my cast iron dutch oven – and between the two Sunday Gravy is simmering and the house smells wonderful.

I love how the Lord speaks to me through everyday life. Running over with goodness! And now as I’m writing this Zach Williams, “Chain Breaker”, is playing on Pandora.

“If you’ve got pain
He’s a pain taker
If you feel lost
He’s a way maker
If you need freedom or savin’
He’s a prison-shaking Savior
If you’ve got chains
He’s a chain breaker”

source: https://www.lyricsondemand.com/zach_williams/chain_breaker

The Father’s love is a “cup running over”, “more than enough” kind of love!

“You prepared a meal for me in front of my enemies. You welcomed me as an honored guest. My cup is full and spilling over.
6 Your goodness and mercy will be with me all my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house a long, long time.” Psalm 23:5-6 ERV

“And God can give you more blessings than you need, and you will always have plenty of everything. You will have enough to give to every good work.” II Corinthians 9:8 ERV

“I’m telling you to love your enemies and do good to them. Lend to people without expecting to get anything back. If you do this, you will have a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God. Yes, because God is good even to the people who are full of sin and not thankful. 36 Give love and mercy the same as your Father gives love and mercy…38 Give to others, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.” Luke 6:35-38 ERV

My physical pot was running over but more than that my heart is running over with the love and comfort that the Father has poured out on me and so I share that with you this morning.

Share with others all the Lord has blessed you with – He doesn’t cause it to run over to waste it – it’s to be shared!

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In the Father’s Arms

As parents, we all know how good it is to see our kids after a long separation – what a joy to hug their necks and be able to give them a kiss and just see them face to face. I can only imagine how our heavenly Father must feel when we choose to be separated from Him.

The joy He must feel when we come back to His presence must be unspeakable. And how it must brighten His day when we take time to stop throughout the day to check in and say hi. I so appreciate knowing that my Heavenly Father is always wanting me to come to presence and spend time with Him.

He welcomes up to come boldly into His presence in our time of need. He promises to provide us with His help.

“ 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 4:15-16 ERV

We come to His arms, to His embrace, to His comfort and for His strength. We respond to His love as He welcomes us.

“While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him coming and felt sorry for him. So he ran to him and hugged and kissed him. 21 The son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against God and have done wrong to you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, …‘24 My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost, but now he is found!’ So they began to have a party.” Luke 15:20-24 ERV

Take time today to make your Father smile – give Him a hug and tell Him you love Him.

“We are telling you about what we have seen and heard because we want you to have fellowship with us. The fellowship we share together is with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We write these things to you so that you can be full of joy with us.” I John 1:3-4 ERV

“The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them. 15 The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear. The Spirit that we have makes us God’s chosen children. And with that Spirit we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ 16 And the Spirit himself speaks to our spirits and makes us sure that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16 ERV

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest.” Matthew 11:28-29 ERV

Come. Come to Father to His embrace and find rest!

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Important – Take Notice

The Psalm I read this morning is one I have read the middle verses from probably a hundred times but this morning when I read it from the beginning it took on a deeper significance.

It was the Lord saying, “I notice you. You are important to me. Even when you think the things you do are mundane and insignificant, I notice. I see you”.

I don’t know how old David was when he penned this Psalm, but he was keenly aware of the Lord’s involvement in his life. I want to live each day with this same awareness of the Lord’s presence.

“You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me. 2 You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts.

3 You notice everything I do and everywhere I go. 4 Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, 5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side. 6 I can’t understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.

7 Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight?8 If I were to climb up
to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead
you would also be there. 9 Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean. 10 Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me. 11 Or suppose I said, “I’ll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over.” 12 But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you.

13 You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body, 14 and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.

15 Nothing about me  is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together out of human sight,
16 but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything about me.

17 Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.
18 I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.” Psalms 139:1-18 CEV

I pray those words touched you to your very core! “3 You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.“

The Lord takes notice of us. There’s an old hymn and the words say “My heavenly Father watches over me”. He does! He notices! We are important to Him.

I’m not as old as some but I am older than most and these thoughts that David penned bring such great joy and peace to my heart. I am important enough to my heavenly Father that He takes notice of everything I do and He listens to every word I speak.

“…Since the day you were born, I have carried you along. 4 I will still be the same
when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you. I created you. I will carry you and always keep you safe” Isaiah 46:3-4 CEV

On those days when you wonder does anyone even notice, does anyone even care – take heart. The Father does!

You are noticeably important to Him!

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God’s Love NEVER Fails

Absolutes! I love that God’s word is filled with absolutes. Always – All – Everyone – Whoever – Never. These are the words that jump off the page each time I read my Bible.

“Praise the Lord! He is good. God’s love never fails. 2 Praise the God of all gods. God’s love never fails. 3 Praise the Lord of lords. God’s love never fails. 4 Only God works great miracles. God’s love never fails. 5 With wisdom he made the sky. God’s love never fails. 6 The Lord stretched the earth over the ocean. God’s love never fails. 7 He made the bright lights in the sky. God’s love never fails. 8 He lets the sun rule each day. God’s love never fails. 9 He lets the moon and the stars rule each night. God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:1-9 CEV

God’s love never fails!

Our actions don’t determine God’s love for us. The Apostle Paul wrote that even when we were sinners and alienated from God He loved us. Jesus said, “For God SO loved the world, that He gave His only Son”.

God’s love never fails!

“But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.” Romans 5:8 CEV

I had someone tell me once, “I’m not sure I even believe in God”. I think my answer may have shocked them. I said, “That’s ok, God believes in you and if you ask Him to show you that He’s real, He will”.

He shows us His reality and His love on a daily basis. It’s in every sunrise and sunset; it’s in the stars and the oceans, and the ebb and flow of the waves.

“Only God works great miracles. God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:4

“God saw the trouble we were in. God’s love never fails. 24 He rescued us from our enemies.  God’s love never fails. 25 He gives food to all who live. God’s love never fails. 26 Praise God in heaven! God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:23-26 CEV

There has never been a day in our lives that God hasn’t had love for us. He may not always be pleased with our actions, but He has never not loved us.

Praise God in heaven! God’s love never fails!!

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The Answer to Why

When our children were small they had so many questions that started with why. We answered as many as we could and then we had to say “that’s just the way God made it”.

As I grew older, I’ve had my own “why” questions. Some I’ve asked of myself, and others have been asked of me by friends and strangers alike.

Why do you love the Lord? Why are you willing to stand for Him when others think that your ways and ideas are old fashioned, out of date, archaic and foolish? Why do you believe in a God you can’t see and why are you willing to base your life on His word?

Why?

How do you answer these questions to others and how do you answer them in your heart?

My answer in a nutshell – I love the Lord because He loved me first! In my 72 years of life my heavenly Father has never had a bad thought about me; He has never belittled me, never lied to me and He has never abandoned me, and He never will!

Has He approved of everything I’ve done? NO

Has He corrected and instructed me? ABSOLUTELY

He has loved me unconditionally and without shame.

My greatest form of worship is to love Him and then to love others as He has loved me.

“Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child. And so everyone who loves knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. 10 True love is God’s love for us, not our love for God. He sent his Son as the way to take away our sins.

11 That is how much God loved us, dear friends! So we also must love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us. If we love each other, God’s love has reached its goal—it is made perfect in us.

13 We know that we live in God and God lives in us. We know this because he gave us his Spirit. 14 We have seen that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world, and this is what we tell people now. 15 Anyone who says, “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God,” is a person who lives in God, and God lives in that person. 16 So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love.

God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them. 17 If God’s love is made perfect in us, we can be without fear on the day when God judges the world. We will be without fear, because in this world we are like Jesus. 18 Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear. It is his punishment that makes a person fear. So his love is not made perfect in the one who has fear. 19 We love because God first loved us.” I John 4:7-19 ERV

I pray that you have an intimate knowledge of how much God loves you – it’s life changing!

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Safe and Secure

We had an interesting flight yesterday. We were about 10 minutes late taking off. Some people in the back of the plane would not take their seats.

After several stern announcements from the senior flight attendant, the issue, whatever it was was resolved and we were able to take off.

We had been flying for about 20 or 30 when we were told there was quite a bit of turbulent weather and the pilot was flying an alternate route to avoid it. Stay in your seats and keep your seat belts pulled tight.

Only when we were already late did we receive word that a weather front from Mexico to Las Vegas was the cause for our rerouting and that of a number of other flights.

We would be on the ground in Phoenix in another 20 minutes or so. We arrived safely and all was well.

One thing I noticed as the passengers were boarding was a family with 3 small children. Only once did I hear a small cry, I couldn’t turn around to see but I imagine that the mother was cuddling her child and diminishing any fears.

Now why would I tell you this story? Glad you asked.

“But I have learned to feel safe and satisfied, like a young child in its mother’s arms. People of Israel, you must trust the Lord now and forever.” Psalm 131:2-3 CEV

When we run into turbulence how do we handle it?

I can tell you how I did, I prayed. Things were beyond my control but not beyond God’s. No fear, just confidence that I was in a place of safety.

It’s little daily lessons like these that remind me of the Father’s constant protection and love.

Let me encourage you – feel safe like a child in its mother’s arms. No matter the circumstances God is holding you in His arms.

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Good Cheer

When we’re travelling it’s sometimes hard to write my morning devotional but I wanted to share this brief thought with you this morning.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

God isn’t the one bringing tribulation into our lives, but He IS the one who brings us peace in the tribulation.

How can we have peace?

By knowing that God is there with us and through Him we overcome what this world throws at us.

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3 NLT

Christ paid the price for our ransom. He didn’t purchase us to throw us on the trash heap. We are precious to Him, so precious that He willingly died for our redemption.

Today, I pray that you know peace and your lives are filled with “good cheer” as you go through any fires or floods!

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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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