Category: God’s Promises

Posted on

Midnight…

Continuing with yesterday’s thoughts. We’ll be able to sing at midnight when we are grounded on a firm foundation. I shared these thoughts several years back but since Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever the truth of His word is too.

Even during our midnight hours, our times of crises, there’s light for our path. Just as the stars always shine, God’s love never fails.

“He lets the moon and the stars rule each night. God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:9 CEV

What keeps us grounded when life’s storms have our boat rocking? The storms will come – health, finances, accidents, death, divorce, family issues or physical storms (tornadoes, blizzards, hurricanes, earthquakes). Where do we find peace and safety?

Peter was in a physical storm, and he learned that he would sink or walk based on one thing – the Word of God. Jesus said “Come” and on that one-word direction from the mouth of the Son of God, he walked.

If we are going to be grounded, we have to be standing on the word of God. It is the only sure and firm foundation.

“Grass dies and flowers fall, but the word of our God lasts forever.” Isaiah 40:8

” Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35

“Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock.” Matthew 7:24-25

Life’s midnight isn’t a time we see on a clock. Instead, it’s our darkest hours and quite often we find ourselves feeling alone but we never are.

“He decided how many stars there would be in the sky and gave each one a name. 5 Our Lord is great and powerful!  He understands everything.” Psalm 147:4-5 CEV

Before the astronomers named the stars, God already had. Before we were born, He already knew us and had a plan for our lives.

“Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything about me.” Psalm 139:16 CEV

There’s an old hymn that I love to sing, it was written in 1876 by Russell Carter. It’s a good one to remember during those midnight hours.

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,

through eternal ages let his praises ring;

glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:

Standing, standing,

standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;

standing, standing,

I’m standing on the promises of God.

2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

by the living Word of God I shall prevail,

standing on the promises of God.

(Refrain)

3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,

bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,

overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

standing on the promises of God.

(Refrain)

4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,

resting in my Savior as my all in all,

standing on the promises of God.

(Refrain)

Stand on His Word – it will never fail! That’s our reason to sing.

Posted on

Stand Strong

This morning I’ve been thinking about the course of events that brought Dave and I back to Arizona in 2014. We moved away in 1989. It was a long journey to faraway places like California, Washington, Idaho and Montana but eventually, we ended up back in my home state, Arizona.

Each place we called home, we made friends, and the Lord was faithful to always provide and care for us. However, there was a longing to move on and as the Lord opened the doors, we did just that. In 2014 we moved back to Arizona; we were home!

I have identified with Abraham on more than one occasion. God called him to leave his family and travel to an unknown land. He lived in a tent, not a permanent dwelling. He moved quite a bit. A famine took him to Egypt and a prosperous, growing herd of cattle caused him to relocate and allot part of his land to his nephew.

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise.” Hebrews 11:8-9 NLT

All the while, Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had no children. At age 75 God made Abraham a promise that he would be father to many nations. Abraham clung to that promise. You know the story; it wasn’t until Abraham was 100 years old that he was blessed with the birth of his son Isaac.

“It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.” Hebrews 11:11-12 NLT

“He never doubted that God would do what he promised. He never stopped believing. In fact, he grew stronger in his faith and just praised God. 21 Abraham felt sure that God was able to do what he promised.” Romans 4:20-21 ERV

Abraham never doubted God, he never stopped believing and he felt sure that God was able to do what He promised. Sarah had her moments of doubt, but God reassured her that He was faithful.

I too had doubts and wondered what God’s purpose and plan was for me and my family. That’s when I learned to get up every morning and thank the Father for His faithfulness and abiding presence. I haven’t had to wait 25 years, like Abraham, to see a promise of God come to pass but I have waited 8 years.

What promise has God made you? Are you having to wait on it? Don’t give up, don’t give in. Never stop believing.

Stand Strong!

Posted on

Thirsty

I know I have shared this a couple times with some of you. We found ourselves sharing the story again just days ago.

A number of years ago, we lived in the panhandle of Idaho. We had one particular summer that was very dry. The catch ponds were drying up and the springs were only a trickle.

One afternoon our dogs put us on alert that something was in the yard; this is what we saw.

A cow moose had wandered into our yard with her twins in search of water. Our sprinklers were running, and provided the much-needed water that she was seeking. After they drank their fill, the moose rested in the shade of the tall pines. At first, she was very cautious, looking about after every sip and then as her calves rested quietly, she found rest herself.

Have you been thirsty? Have you been really thirsty for God? Thirsty enough to search outside your comfort zone? Willing to leave the familiar way of doing things and find the answers you need in God’s word?

God asked Abraham to leave his family and his homeland. Ruth left all to follow Naomi to a new land where God blessed her with a husband and a child, making her a descendant of Christ. Peter left his fishing nets to follow Christ. Paul gave up his prestige as a Pharisee to seek Jesus and His word.

“As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. 2 In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face?” Psalm 42:1-2 CEV

When we seek God, we will find Him and we will find that He gives us so much more than we ever dreamed possible.

“‘Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. 14 I will let you find me.’ This message is from the LORD.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 ERV

God is loving, kind and gracious and when we seek Him, we find that to be true. He put all of our punishment and judgement on Jesus so that we could have a wonderful relationship with Him.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.” II Corinthians 5:17-19 ERV

Someone needs to know that God isn’t mad at you! He loves you and if you seek Him, you will find Him waiting with arms of love open wide.

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

Be thirsty for God, like that momma moose who sought out the life-giving water, you will find all you need in Him.

Posted on

Oh My, Look at the Time!

That’s what I said to myself when I woke up this morning! I really slept in.

We are all so conscious of time. Appointments, work, school, dinner with friends all require us to look at the clock. But there are other times too – times you can’t find on a clock. Those are the ones I want to talk about this morning.

Look at the time.

Since we are connected through the internet it may be early morning, midday or perhaps you are reading this in the evening but whatever time it is where you are it is time to praise the Lord!

You could be in a time of trouble, a time of fear, good time, dinner time, party time, time of loneliness, time of sickness or time of concern. No matter, it is time to praise the Lord.

Why?

Because He is Lord of all and Lord over all and all who trust in Him will never be ashamed!

Just so you know, all those times listed above – I’ve been there and the thing that ALWAYS brings me through is praise time. Remembering that my heavenly Father is bigger than anything here and that He has a plan for me to prosper and have good success gives me reason to praise.

“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. 2 I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. 3 Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.

4 For I cried to him and he answered me! He freed me from all my fears. 5 Others too were radiant at what he did for them. Theirs was no downcast look of rejection! 6 This poor man cried to the Lord—and the Lord heard him and saved him out of his troubles. 7 For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence him.

8 Oh, put God to the test and see how kind he is! See for yourself the way his mercies shower down on all who trust in him. 9 If you belong to the Lord, reverence him; for everyone who does this has everything he needs. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those of us who reverence the Lord will never lack any good thing.

11 Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord.” Psalm 34:1-11 TLB

Oh my, look at the time! Look at the timeline of your life and praise the Lord for bringing you to this place.

Posted on

Good Gifts

We recently celebrated Dave’s birthday with all the kids and grandkids! It was a great time. Love, joy and presents.

They blessed Dave with a new smoker/grill and all the accessories! He was so surprised and thrilled.

Giving gifts to those we love just seems to come naturally. They don’t have to be big and expensive; simple and handmade gifts are meaningful too. It’s the fact that gifts come from the heart that makes them so special.

It’s probably not your birthday today but I have found some wonderful gifts chosen specifically for you.

“Christ gave each one of us a special gift. Everyone received what he wanted to give them. ” Ephesians 4:7 ERV

“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

“You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. 9 It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.” Ephesians 2:8-9 CEV

“ Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” James 1:17 CEV

It didn’t take Dave long to begin to tell his friends about what the kids had given him. Yes, he was bragging on them. I think our heavenly Father likes it when we brag about His goodness.

“With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name! 2 With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been. 3The 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 103:1-4 CEV

“…you still know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:11 ERV

“Grace and peace be given to you more and more, because now you know God and Jesus our Lord. 3 Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.” II Peter 1:2-4 ERV

God’s gifts are called blessings. From the very beginning of time our Father looked for ways to give. He gave Adam and Eve a garden and filled it with all that was good. He gave the people of Israel a promised land filled with good things. He gave His promises and He never breaks His word.

He gave us His Son and a new life. All of these are very good gifts and worth bragging about!

Posted on

Locked In

Have you ever had a period of time when you were afraid, really afraid?

Maybe you fought during a military conflict. Maybe you have faced a traumatic life-threatening illness or lived with a loved one who has. It could be that you have had to face severe weather conditions that threatened your life and your home or serve as a first responder.

Then you know the intense fear that the disciples were feeling less than one week after the resurrection of Christ. Life for the followers of the Lord was still very pensive. They huddled together behind locked doors.

They knew the Romans were spreading rumors that they had stolen Jesus body to make it look like He rose from the dead. If pursued by the soldiers the disciples 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 in John 20. We see them first on the day of the resurrection.

” 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 appears to them again. They are still behind locked doors and Jesus greeting is 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

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 the physical 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 addressed 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.

One week after Easter, I want to encourage you – Be not afraid. Peace be with you, you have been given the Holy Spirit and He is the comforter, the helper, our advocate!

We have Jesus’ word, it does not fail – we are blessed!

Posted on

Easy & Light

There are some here around us that are preparing to head back north. It takes quite a bit to get their homes ready to be closed for the summer. The last few days its been quite warm and that’s only added to the weightiness of the chores.

Others of you are in the midst of securing new jobs and that, too, is a heavy undertaking. Any major life change can be a struggle.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. 30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The yoke in Jesus’ day linked two oxen together. They could work together to plow a field and the task would be lighter for both of them. Do you see the picture this paints?

But then Jesus goes on to say to “learn from me”. Jesus was referring to a time of training when a younger, less developed and mature ox was being trained to the plow. When the yoke went across its neck and shoulders the weight of the yoke would fall on the stronger, more mature. The stronger ox would be the one carrying the weight of the burden and the younger was just learning to walk the straight line through the field.

That’s what Jesus is asking us to do with Him. He wants us to be linked to him; He carries the load and we learn to walk the path that He walked. In every situation, Jesus turned to His Father and put the cares of the world in the Father’s hands. Even when it led to His death. Jesus didn’t try to figure it out in His own earthly mind but He brought every thought captive to the will of the Father.

“Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 NLV

Some of you are facing real struggles today. Jesus is calling you to “Come unto to me all you that are weary and heavy laden. I WILL GIVE YOU REST”.

Link up with Jesus today – rest is waiting.

Posted on

Shaking in the Wind

Yesterday afternoon we had friends stop by for a visit. It was so good to see them, we always enjoy our time with them.

Somewhere in the conversation we began to talk about hurricanes and tornadoes and the fierce winds that come with them. This morning that conversation ties in with my Bible reading.

“When news reached the royal palace that Syria had joined forces with Israel, King Ahaz and everyone in Judah were so terrified that they shook like trees in a windstorm.

3 Then the Lord said to me: Take your son Shearjashub and go see King Ahaz. You will find him on the road near the cloth makers’ shops at the end of the canal that brings water from the upper pool. 4 Tell Ahaz to stop worrying. There’s no need for him to be afraid of King Rezin and King Pekah. They are very angry, but they are nothing more than a dying fire. Ahaz doesn’t need to fear” Isaiah 7:2-4 CEV

I’ve seen those trees shake in the wind. And there are times when I have felt fear that has shaken me to my very core. I know, you have too!

There are no words to express the sense of relief and comfort that come from hearing the Lord’s voice say “Stop worrying, there’s no need to fear”.

I struggled for years with fear. Fear of unknown circumstances, fear of people’s opinions, fear of failure. I remember being on a camping trip and we were warned of bears in the area – that brought a whole new kind of fear.

Fear can be immobilizing.

“ Late in the afternoon, when the breeze began to blow, the man and woman heard the Lord God walking in the garden. So they hid behind some trees…10 The man answered, ‘I was naked, and when I heard you walking through the garden, I was frightened and hid!'” Genesis 3:8&10 CEV

Fear was one of the first emotions that Adam and Eve experienced in the garden after they sinned. The first was shame followed by fear. Fear has been used by the devil for a very long time.

Ever since that time, God has been saying to mankind “Do not fear”! I know I have told you this before but it bears repeating, Bible scholars tell us that there are approximately 365 verses that tell us not to fear or to be worried.

God wants us to live a worry-free life. He wants us to face our fears and say like King David said:

“The Lord is my light and the One Who saves me. Whom should I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom should I be afraid? 2 When sinful men, and all who hated me, came against me to destroy my flesh, they tripped and fell. 3 Even if an army gathers against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if war rises against me, I will be sure of You.” Psalm 27:1-3 NLV

When we see trees blown by the wind let it serve as a reminder to us. Stop worrying, do not be afraid.

Posted on

Back Ordered

Just recently I went on-line to order a shirt for our anniversary celebration next week. I had found one in town, but it wasn’t in my size. No problem, I thought. I’ll just find the same one on-line and have it in a couple of days.

It wasn’t that simple. The first three sites I went to didn’t have it in my size either. I will tell you I got a little perturbed. The words “back ordered” were not what I was wanting to hear.

In the last couple of years we, as a collective group, have become so accustomed to instant gratification. If you live in a larger city some companies will deliver your item within hours and not days. The rest of us who live a little more rural have come to expect delivery by the next day and two at the very latest.

This instant society has fed the monster of selfishness that hides within.

This morning the Lord showed me something about Himself. His gifts and blessings are never on backorder, never out of stock.

“Ask, and what you are asking for will be given to you. Look, and what you are looking for you will find. Knock, and the door you are knocking on will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 NLV

I was asking for strength, clarity of thought and wisdom. There is no lack of any of these in the heavenly warehouse.

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The God Who lives forever is the Lord, the One Who made the ends of the earth. He will not become weak or tired. His understanding is too great for us to begin to know. 29 He gives strength to the weak. And He gives power to him who has little strength.” Isaiah 40:28-29 NLV

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.” II Timothy 1:7 NLV

“ If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.” James 1:5 NLV

When the Father tells us to ask for something, He expects us to ask. Not selflessly but from a sincere heart of dependence upon Him and His word. Jesus said his purpose was to bring abundant life to us who believe.

“The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

There’s also never a shortage of God’s love – it endures forever, His mercy never comes to an end, His peace flows like a river and His goodness extends to a thousand generations. His word will never pass away.

“ If you love Me, you will do what I say. 16 Then I will ask My Father and He will give you another Helper. He will be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot receive Him. It does not see Him or know Him. You know Him because He lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17 NLV

The Father’s delivery system is infinitely better than FedEx, UPS, USPS and Amazon. He delivers from His heart to us via the Holy Spirit. The Father’s love and character are never on backorder.

Posted on

One of the Blessed

Have you ever had people talk about you? I mean serious, reputation-destroying, heart-breaking, intentional slander. Me too! Several times in the last 40 years and I have to admit that I haven’t always handled it well. In fact, a couple of times I have handled it badly.

This morning I want to share with you one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It tells us how to deal with the above-mentioned people – those who like to slander.

King Balak was afraid of the Israelites and he wanted them destroyed so instead of facing them in battle he wanted to hire a man named Balaam to curse them.

“But God replied, “Don’t go with Balak’s messengers. I have blessed those people who have come from Egypt, so don’t curse them.” Numbers 22:12 CEV

But Balaam went. He saddled his donkey and set off with the messengers to see the King. Along the way Balaam’s donkey steps off the path three times. What Balaam doesn’t realize is there was an angel standing on the path with a sword and the donkey is trying to avoid the angel and the sword. Balaam’s donkey ends up talking to Balaam and then the angel talks to Balaam and reminds him to only say what God says about the Israelites. (Really you need to read Numbers 22-23.)

Balaam meets King Balak and is told to curse the Israelites.

“Balaam said: ‘But I can’t go against God! He did not curse or condemn Israel.'” Numbers 23:7-10 CEV

Balak is furious with Balaam and demands that he curse the Israelites. Balaam goes to hear from God again but the message is the same.

Now for my favorite verses in the whole Bible.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises. 20 My command from God was to bless these people, and there’s nothing I can do to change what he has done'” Numbers 23:19-20 CEV

God doesn’t lie and He always keeps his promises!

We sometimes fail to see those promises come to pass in our lives because we try to “help” God along or we think we know better and try to “defend” ourselves. God doesn’t need our help to defend our reputation. He is perfectly capable of doing it on His own.

In fact, Jesus said it this way,

“But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45 Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong.” Matthew 5:43-44 CEV

I have come to the conclusion that it is much better to let the Lord protect me and to confront those who are speaking against me. He fights a better battle, and I will do what He says and pray for them. This way the Father is glorified.

Thank you, Father, for being my defense and my hiding place. You have blessed me. I can trust you to always keep Your promises and to never lie or change!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress