Category: God’s Love

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One Man’s Trash

…is another man’s treasure

That phrase came up last night as we were watching television and it got me to thinking. Thinking about our little farmhouse home in Idaho. My kitchen was small and I wanted a way to decorate with some of my favorite things so Dave brought in two old barn doors and nailed them to the walls.

I got a couple of old single trees, mounted them to the doors and hung my cast iron skillets off the cast iron hooks on each end. But I didn’t stop there. I put at least a dozen more nails in each door and hung some of my favorite antique kitchen utensils from those nails – a shifter, colander, big mixing spoons, spatulas, enamelware cups and bowls. I loved it!

Two of my uncles were passing through town and stopped for dinner and an overnight rest. While we were sitting at the table, they looked around at my decor and one of them said to the other, “Kristi has stuff hanging on her walls that we used to hang in the barn”. That’s correct.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

All of my treasures had been purchased at ranch and farm auctions for pennies on the dollar. What someone thought was old and useless, I thought was quaint and worth putting on display.

I really think that’s how God sees us. The world says we aren’t worth much but He’s sees us as a treasure.

I want to go back, one more time, to yesterday’s Scripture:

“Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine!” Isaiah 43:1 NLV

One version of this verse says “I have redeemed you”. The Lord saw value in us when others saw nothing of the kind. He rescued us, redeemed us and brought blessing to our lives.

“Christ bought us with His blood and made us free from the Law. In that way, the Law could not punish us. Christ did this by carrying the load and by being punished instead of us. It is written, “Anyone who hangs on a cross is hated and punished.” 14 Because of the price Christ Jesus paid, the good things that came to Abraham might come to the people who are not Jews. And by putting our trust in Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit He has promised.” Galatians 3:13-14 NLV

One man’s treasure!

We are God’s treasure. We are His children. He loves us.

“And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17 AMPC

Don’t let anyone call you trash. God has called you His treasure!

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To Err Is Human…

…to forgive divine!

That is a saying I heard many times growing up and I’m not really sure where it came from. I just know those are the words that were forefront in my heart this morning.

Have you ever made comments or had thoughts like this; “I just don’t think God could ever love me, forgive me, use me, want me, etc, like He does someone else”? “If people knew who I was or the things I have in my past they wouldn’t love me or want to be my friend”.

Ever had those thoughts? I have and guess what, so did the Apostle Paul.

“But our Lord gave me a full measure of his grace. And with that grace came the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them. 16 But I was given mercy so that in me Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. Christ showed his patience with me, the worst of all sinners. He wanted me to be an example for those who would believe in him and have eternal life.” I Timothy 1:14-16 ERV

Paul felt that he was the worst sinner to have ever lived, he arrested and had Christians murdered. But God forgave him, changed his life and used him to reach the world with the Gospel.

Jesus was all about forgiving. He forgave Zacheaus, the woman in adultery, the thief on the cross, the soldiers and religious leaders that were crucifying Him. He forgave Paul. He has forgiven us too!

I shared these verses with you the other morning. They are some of my favorites on the presence and protection of the Lord. Take a hard look at the first part of verse one.

“…Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine! 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The fire will not destroy you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, Who saves you… 4 You are of great worth in My eyes. You are honored and I love you… 5 Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bring your children from the east, and I will gather you from the west.” Isaiah 41:1-5 NLV

God isn’t holding our past against us! Our past is that – past!

In Hebrews, we are told that God won’t remember our sins and trespasses. He puts them as far as the East is from the West.

If you are being held captive by your past brreak free by accepting the Father’s forgiveness!

He has ransomed you. He has redeemed you, He is walking through life’s hardships with you and protecting you. You are precious to Him!

God isn’t mad at you. He hasn’t rejected or disqualified you. He loves you!

Thank you Father for your amazing love. Thank you that my past is past and thank you that I have been redeemed and that I am Yours!

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Red Carpet Treatment

How many of you have seen those celebratory events where the red carpet is rolled out in honor of a special occasion?

It seems every sport, association, organization and political group has their own red carpet event honoring the best of the best.

Just last weekend there was another awards show on television and every news outlet and society page has carried a story about who attended, what they were wearing, how they performed and who the big winner was.

It’s like a fairy tale. A dream come true. Being recognized by the world for your accomplishments. Most of us will never walk a red carpet and have an adoring public calling our name.

However, those of us who know Christ have a much greater celebration awaiting us!

Remember yesterday’s verses? We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus. Our Father has given us an amazingly, incomprehensible inheritance. We will do more than walk a red carpet for just a few hours. We will walk on streets of gold for all eternity!

“The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.” Revelation 21:18-21 NLT

The Apostle John gives us the above description of heaven. It sounds beautiful, absolutely heavenly. But that’s just part of it. There won’t be a golden award to place on a mantel. What we receive is so much greater. We will receive a new body – no pain, no sickness, no tears, no heartache or death. Our minds will be new – no senility, no tormenting thoughts, no emotional distress, no deficiencies; peaceful, strong minds.

“I heard a loud voice coming from heaven. It said, “See! God’s home is with men. He will live with them. They will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will be their God.  4 God will take away all their tears. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All the old things have passed away.” 5 Then the One sitting on the throne said, “See! I am making all things new. Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:3-5 NLV

And we will be in the presence of God Almighty. We will see Jesus face to face and we will hear Him say “I am making all thngs new”.

I can truthfully say that I do not crave any earthly red carpet treatment. My desire is to live in glory with the King of Kings and walk the streets of gold!

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The Doors Are Open

I was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona. It’s in the very southwestern part of the state and it’s hot!

When friends and relatives came for a visit they never came in summer. But when visitors came we often made a trip to the Yuma Territorial Prison, it was something they all wanted to see. It had housed some of the most notorious lawbreakers of the early West and was mentioned in so many of the westerns made in Hollywood.

I remember being intrigued by the rock walls, the small cells and the large iron doors. The only light in those cells came through slats of iron. It had to have been bitter cold at night and furnance hot by day. It was often described as the “hell hole”.

It’s this image, the Yuma Territorial Prison, that I see when I read these words:

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.  Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”  16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” Romans 8:14-17 NLT

When I read those words “fearful slaves” I see those prison bars. Fear is an emotion that imprisons us – taking all our freedom and zest for life. Fear is debilitating and can cause someone to act irrationally.

But when the chains of fear are broken and the prison doors are opened freedom comes. It’s like stepping out of darkness and into the fresh light of day. The head turns upward, fresh breath is drawn into the lungs, a smile appears – freedom has come!

In Christ we go from a life of bondage to a life of sonship. We had nothing while we were imprisoned and now we are heirs, sons and daughters, of Almighty God!

We all have been in bondage to one degree or another but there’s good news – Jesus has broken the chains and we have been set free!

Look up – the doors are open!

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The Doors Are Locked

Have you ever had a period of time when you were afraid, really afraid? Then you know how the disciples felt just days and weeks after the resurrection of Christ.

Life for the followers of the Lord was still pensive. They huddled together behind locked doors, they probably traveled through the city streets accompanied by two or three others. They knew the Romans were still spreading rumors that THEY stole Jesus body to make it look like He rose from the dead.

If pursued by the soldiers they could be killed on the spot. The mob that had rioted and cried “Crucify Him, Crucify Him” was only now beginning to disperse in Jerusalem but who were they among so many? Living daily with all this apprehension, life was not normal and who knew when or if it ever would be again.

This was the life of the disciples and this was their mindset.

“The day was Sunday, and that same evening the followers were together. They had the doors locked because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” 20 As soon as he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the followers saw the Lord, they were very happy. 21 Then Jesus said again, “Peace be with you. It was the Father who sent me, and I am now sending you in the same way.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:19-22 ERV

But not all the disciples were there. Thomas was missing. A week later Jesus appeared to them again. They were still behind locked doors and Jesus greeting was the same – peace!

“A week later the followers were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.”28 Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”29 Jesus said to him, “You believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!” John 20:26-29 ERV

The Bible doesn’t give us insight to what Jesus was doing between these visits with the disciples. For three years, they had been in daily contact with Jesus. They ate with Him, heard him teach and saw the miracles that He did. But where was He now? We don’t know.

What we do know is that every time he appeared to them after His resurrection He encouraged them, spoke words of peace and showered them with unconditional love. Jesus wasn’t stopped by the locked doors; He made himself known to them.

What is it that has you behind locked doors? What has your focus? Do you feel alone and abandoned? What has robbed your peace?

Thomas needed to see physical evidence before he was willing to believe that Jesus was still there, still in control, still in a place of power. Jesus’ words to Thomas are also Jesus’ words to us, “You believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!” We’re the ones who are in the place of believing without physically seeing.

Two weeks after Easter 2021, the words of Jesus are still true. Be not afraid. Peace be with you! Jesus is always here even when the doors are locked.

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A Healthy Tree

There is a single verse in the Psalm 40 that I want us to look at this morning.

“O Lord my God, many are the great works You have done, and Your thoughts toward us. No one can compare with You! If I were to speak and tell of them, there would be too many to number.” Psalm 40:5 NLV

Now look at this phrase “many are the great works which You have done”.

Think about that for a moment – what great works do you see that God has done? Was it last night’s sunset or this morning’s sunrise? Was it the love and compassion you felt for a stranger who was in need? Or was it the unpretentious love and acceptance of a child? What did you experience just yesterday that you can see was a wonderful work of God in your life?

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8 NJKV

“He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:4 NJKV

“O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.” Isaiah 25:1 NLT

Our Father is a planner; He plans good things. The things that are “wonder full” are the things that have the character of God woven through them. Things like faithfulness, truth, love, forgiveness, peace, gentleness, patience, joy…

Oh wait, did I just list the fruit of the Spirit? When God’s love fills us, we begin to produce fruit.

In the natural fruit a tree produces fruit for the kind of tree it is. Apples, oranges, bananas, and so on – you know what I’m saying. Nothing tastes as good a peach picked fresh from the branch. When we grow in Christ we will begin to produce fruit that is consistent with the vine we are growing on – we will begin to produce godly character.

Our lives should be producing Father-fruit. Do you know that He is wanting to use us to do wonderful things in the lives of those around us? And don’t think that everyone will be happy that we are an example of the Father – they won’t be. Jesus faced that opposition.

“God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 ERV

The love of the Lord will grow in our lives as we stay connected to Him. Just as a fruit tree first breaks forth with buds in Spring and those buds ripen into mature fruit we will produce the fruit of God’s character.

May the trees in our yards and neighborhoods be a reminder that we were made to produce the fruit of godly character.

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Making Priorities

The start of a new week.

What’s on your schedule? Do you have a calendar on the wall with a To-Do list or maybe it’s all in your smart phone or on your I-pad? You may be old fashioned like me and just have a list on a sheet of paper on the desk. Whatever it is, does it give you a sense of accomplishment to check things off when they are done?

This morning I was reading about the Apostle Paul. He had a checklist.

“I don’t know what will happen to me in Jerusalem, but I must obey God’s Spirit and go there. 23 In every city I visit, I am told by the Holy Spirit that I will be put in jail and will be in trouble in Jerusalem. 24 But I don’t care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And that work is to tell the good news about God’s great kindness.” Acts 20:22-24 CEV

Paul had been out preaching all over Asia. He told everyone, everywhere he went about Jesus. That was all he had on his list.

One thing!

One very important thing. I’m sure he had other things he could have done. After all, as he would go into new towns he needed to find a place to stay, acquire provisions, and locate new Christians but the one thing at the top of his list was his relationship with God, the Father, through Jesus Christ. He had been commissioned to tell the non-Jewish world about God’s great love and the good news of Jesus.

“I do not say that I have received this or have already become perfect. But I keep going on to make that life my own as Christ Jesus made me His own. 13 No, Christian brothers, I do not have that life yet. But I do one thing. I forget everything that is behind me and look forward to that which is ahead of me. 14 My eyes are on the crown. I want to win the race and get the crown of God’s call from heaven through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 NLV

I have a list of things I want to accomplish today. But I will leave room at the top so that I can be ready to tell others about the Father’s goodness, mercy, kindness and grace.

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What Are You Looking For?

I know I’ve told you that I really enjoy “hidden object” search games. Even when I was young I liked doing the word search pages in the newspaper or magazines.

Down the side of the page would be a list of words that were hidden somewhere in the maze of letters. If I was really feeling confident I would do them with an ink pen. These were the earliest versions of computer games before there were computers.

We all seem to be on a search, one way or another. It can be a search for fame and fortune, the perfect mate, a healthier lifestyle – any one of a vast number of things – all in hope of making life better.

My search was complete when I found Jesus!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV

Seek, search for Me, and you will find Me! This was the Lord’s instruction hundreds of years ago and it’s still valid today. The Lord isn’t trying to hide. We find Him in plain sight. The shepherds found Him in a stable. The wisemen found Him at His house with His mother. His mother found Him in the temple teaching.

Zacchaeus went searching for Jesus. He even had to climb a tree to get a better vantage point. What Zacchaeus didn’t know was Jesus was also searching for him.

“Jesus said, “Today is the day for this family to be saved from sin. Yes, even this tax collector is one of God’s chosen people. 10 The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.” Luke 19:9-11 ERV

After His resurrection Jesus found his disciples behind closed doors. He came to them just like He comes to us. He came searching for those He loves. When we are in our darkest hour He comes. He comes to bring life, light, hope and joy.

Jesus searches to save the lost. We seek a Savior. When we meet, the search is over. No point to look any further.

“Look for the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the sinful turn from his way, and the one who does not know God turn from his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have loving-pity on him. Let him turn to our God, for He will for sure forgive all his sins.” Isaiah 55:6-7 NLV

When we find Jesus our search ends, we are complete in Him!

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Building a Life

Our life has taken some interesting turns recently. I’m not able to share the details yet but I will later. It has been challenging to say the least. I have pulled into the Lord for His strength and direction. I have certainly learned alot about my relationship with the Father and found, once again, that He is always faithful!

Some of you are dealing with some pretty heavy stuff right now. Maybe to those looking in it might not appear to be that big of a deal or maybe it’s so big that people are telling you anyone would crumble if they were in your shoes. Friends and their words can be an encouragement and strength but they can also add to your burden and not realize it, so let’s look at what God’s word has to say about His faithfulness during difficult times.

The message is strong – “I will NEVER leave you”!

The writer of Hebrews tells us to put our faith, our hope, our perspective on the Lord and His faithfulness, not on money or circumstances. Nothing wrong with money but it cannot buy peace or be our source of strength.

Then he tells us to look at our rulers (spiritual leaders) and see how God has been faithful and moved in their lives. Their testimonies are an encouragement of the Father’s faithfulness and love. The writer of Hebrews ends with this thought. He tells us that Jesus set a precedent for moving in our lives because He IS the same – yesterday, today and forever!

“Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said,“I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” 6 So we can feel sure and say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. People can do nothing to me.” 7 Remember your leaders. They taught God’s message to you. Remember how they lived and died, and copy their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:5-8 ERV

Every time I woke last night, and there were many, the words to this song came rushing into my heart. In fact, I laid there for over an hour just singing this anthem from the depths of my being. “Build My Life” by Songwriters: Matt Redman, Pat Barrett, Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, Karl Andrew Martin

And I will build my life upon your love, it is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in you alone
And I will not be shaken
And I will build my life upon your love, it is a firm foundation
And I will put my trust in you alone
And I will not be shaken (Holy)

Holy, there is no one like you
There is none beside you
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who you are and fill me
With your heart and lead me
In your love to those around me (repeat)

The building blocks for my life are built on a firm foundation of God’s love for me. He will never abandon me – He will never leave me alone – I will not be deserted by my loving heavenly Father!

Don’t give up – Don’t quit! God is going through this with you and He will bring you out victorious!!!

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Softly & Tenderly

Happy Easter everyone. What a wonderful day – celebrating the resurrection of Jesus! Amazing. Simply amazing.

I always try to put myself in the different stories I read in the Bible. I feel I have been with the disciples in the storm at sea; I followed the woman who had been caught in adultery as she was drug through the streets by her accusers. I’ve eaves-dropped on the conversation between Jesus and the little boy with a lunch of five loaves and two fish and I’ve stood at the foot of cross to see Jesus crucified.

But the story that I can relate to the most – the one that leaves me speechless – occurred on that first resurrection morning.

“Mary stood outside the grave crying. As she cried, she got down and looked inside the grave. 12 She saw two angels dressed in white clothes. They were sitting where the body of Jesus had lain. One angel was where His head had lain and one angel was where His feet had lain. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord. I do not know where they have put Him.”

14 After saying this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 He said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought He was the man who cared for the garden. She said to Him, “Sir, if you have taken Jesus from here, tell me where you have put Him. I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned around and said to Him, “Teacher!” John 20:11-16 NLV

That morning a group of women had gone to the tomb with additional spices to entomb Jesus’ body. They found the stone rolled away and ran back to the disciples to tell them the stone had been moved. Peter and John ran to the tomb ahead of her and found it empty. They went home but Mary stayed.

Heartbroken and alone, she stayed. Crying she stayed. Why would anyone steal her Savior’s body? The angels tried to speak words of comfort but she turned and walked away, dejected.

As she was leaving she encountered a man that she thought was the gardener. She spoke through her tears and asked “have you taken Jesus, please tell me where he is”.

At that moment, that sorrow filled moment, Jesus spoke but one word, softly and tenderly.

“Mary”.

At the sound of her name she knew instantly that this was Jesus! Her heart was bursting with joy. He’s alive! He called my name. He met me in my sorrow. I’m not alone, I will never be alone again. Jesus has called my name!

His death on the cross paid the price for the sins of all mankind but if I had been the only one to ever live on planet Earth, Jesus would have died just for me. He loves me that much. Salvation is exclusively inclusive. It’s for everyone and yet this gift is offered to each of us personally.

I identify with Mary. At my lowest point, heart filled with sorrow, I have heard Jesus softly and tenderly call my name. Jesus loves me, I will never be alone again.

I know if you will listen, you will hear Him call your name as well.

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