Category: God’s Promises

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Happy Kids!

We are going to continue for a few more days looking at what God, the Father, has provided for children, for us. He has planned for us to live joyful lives…

Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a good gift. A gift from the Father.  The Holy Spirit was sent to help us. He is also called the Comforter, and by definition, that means counsellor, intercessor, advocate, strengthener and standby. He intercedes for us.

This verse also says the Holy Spirit will remind us of all things Jesus spoke and He will teach us all things. When the Holy Spirit comes to our aid, He reminds us of God’s Word and instructs us on how to show our love to the Father.

The Father only gives us good gifts. He is not looking to make our lives miserable or downtrodden.

      “Now you are sad, but I will see you again, and you will be happy. You will have a joy that no one can take away. 23 In that day you will not have to ask me about anything. And I assure you, my Father will give you anything you ask him for in my name. 24 You have never asked for anything in this way before. But ask in my name, and you will receive. And you will have the fullest joy possible.” John 16:22b-24 ERV

      “Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV from

As I said, our Father is wanting to place His best at our disposal. Let’s look at one other thing the Holy Spirit does for us. He fills us with the power or ability that we need to victoriously defeat Satan, our enemy, who tries to deceive us and steal our inheritance.

      “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes into your life. You will tell about Me in the city of Jerusalem and over all the countries of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLV

With the Holy Spirit constantly reminding us of God’s Word and giving us the power to follow it, failure is less of an occurrence in our lives than when we try to do it all on our own. Now, that is a good gift!

As sons of God, we have been given the same power as our older brother, Jesus. It is only through our ignorance of the Word and/or our willful disobedience of the Father’s instructions that Satan can steal our power.

      “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 1:3-4 ERV

These verses plainly state that we have been given everything we need for life and godly living. The Father’s exceeding great and precious promises have been given so that we might reflect God’s divine nature. This is a facet of our relationship with Him. He wants us to be victorious while we are here on earth as well as in heaven. He wants us to imitate Him, just like Jesus did.

The Father has placed His light in us so that we can shine brilliantly, “Like A Diamond”, and as His joyful children we bring the light of His goodness to the world.

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The Garden Maker

For a few years we lived in Spokane, Washington and our home was close to a wonderfully designed garden, Manito Park. There were ponds, rolling hills, large evergreens, a Japanese garden and a magnificent flower garden. At one time the garden had been the home of a small zoo.

Our daughters and granddaughter skated on the pond in the winter and sledded on the manicured hills. In the Spring and Summer the flower garden was brilliantly dressed in every shade of red, purple, yellow and blue. The walking paths were welcoming to all who came.

But the garden didn’t just come into being on its own. This 90-acre public park was designed in the early 1900’s and completed by 1912. A famous landscape architectural firm was commissioned to design the garden grounds. Since then the city of Spokane has kept the grounds as it was designed.

On any given day there are numerous grounds keepers and volunteers through out the park tending to the plants. The grounds keepers became the focus of my attention last night as I heard a discussion on the resurrection of Christ.

A woman named Mary went to the tomb, where Jesus had been laid, early on Sunday morning after the crucifixion. She was startled to find that Jesus body was no longer there. She was weeping in the garden and she encountered a man she presumed was the gardener and asked if he had taken Jesus body somewhere. She didn’t recognize Him as Jesus.

“The angels asked Mary, “Why are you crying?” She answered, “They have taken away my Lord’s body! I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know who he was. 15 Jesus asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.” 16 Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni.” John 20:13-16 CEV

Here was the One who had created all that was in this garden and she assumed He was just a grounds keeper. The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus laid aside His reputation when He came to earth. Jesus said that He came to minister to the needs of people and not to have the people minister to Him. This is certainly proof of that.

Can you imagine? The master designer of all of creation – sun, moon, stars, planets, oceans, waterfalls, flowers, trees, mammals, fish, birds – Creator of All and He took on a form so common that He could be mistaken for a gardener.

How often are we like Mary and don’t recognize Jesus working in our lives? We get caught up in our daily struggles, trying to fix things on our own when we have the Master Designer, Almighty God, our heavenly Father waiting to help us in any circumstance.

None of us could create the flowers we see in a garden. However, we can know the Creator personally. We can call Him Father and we can trust the plans He has designed for our lives. His plan for us is much greater than a flower’s design.

“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. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

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When God When

It seems when it comes to answered prayer we often times have the wrong perspective. We want to see an immediate change in our situations and if we don’t, we become discouraged and began our lament of “When God, when”.

God lives in the now, that happens when you are eternal, having no beginning and no end. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. The events that happened at creation are just as current to the Lord as this morning’s breakfast.

The answer to our prayers, according to the Scripture, comes when we ask.

“Ask and it shall be given you” Matthew 7:7

“Call on Me and I will answer thee” Jeremiah 33:3

“Come boldly to the throne of grace and find help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16

“Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.” Daniel 10:12 NLT

Our part is to ask, to call and to come. God’s part is to give, answer and help. He always does His part! We are the ones who have set up a time table and we often times think that God should respond accordingly.

However, we don’t always receive the answer on our schedule because God’s eternal timing is different from ours but He ALWAYS answers.

“but a thousand years  mean nothing to you! They are merely a day gone by or a few hours in the night.” Psalm 90:4 CEV

I can accurately say that none of us have waited one of God’s days for an answer to prayer.

The year of 2020 is almost over and you may be saying “When God, when”. Trust me when I tell you this. God is working, even when we don’t see it. The Apostle Paul said this to the Christians who lived in the ancient city of Corinth.

“God says, “I heard you at the right time, and I gave you help on the day of salvation.” I tell you that the “right time” is now. The “day of salvation” is now.” II Corinthians 6:2 ERV

Let me encourage you to remain confident, don’t let go of your hope. Trust God! Listen to the Scriptures. God says the right time is now; help is here!

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All That Glitters

The last few days I have been thinking alot about where we are in life. Not just our physical location, although that adds to it, but more about our sense of well-being. We’ve been retired for a number of years and life is good.

When we were younger and our children were small I used to imagine going to the grocery store and being able to buy what I needed and some of what I wanted without using a calculator to keep track of my total. That was my idea of being rich.

I also imagined a time when I would be able to go all week without doing laundry because we would still have plenty of clothes to wear. Enough socks and underwear to last the week. Yes, according to my own standards we are rich. Those are the insignificant things in life.

These are the things that now fill my life with richness. God’s love and goodness never ends. Our children and grandchildren love us. Our friends do too. Our home is comfortable. We are healthy, we can travel in our RV. We are content. We have joy. Our lives are richly blessed!

“Devotion to God is, in fact, a way for people to be very rich, but only if it makes them satisfied with what they have.” I Timothy 6:6 ERV

What things in life make you feel rich?

Conversations that are rich with laughter. The presence of family and friends. Surviving 2020 with health and home intact.

“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful. 16 Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:15-17 ERV

Let’s put it this way. When Christ, who is the word, dwells in us we become rich in wisdom. Wisdom is a commodity that money can’t buy but dwelling in the Word makes wisdom available.

“Wisdom is worth much more than gold. Understanding is worth much more than silver.”
Proverbs 16:16 ERV

“Yes, the Scriptures say, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.” 12 It says this because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all people. And he richly blesses everyone who looks to him for help. 13 Yes, “everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11-13 ERV

These gifts that we all desire – peace, thankfulness, wisdom, help. A relationship with Christ, the Word, brings the richness of these gifts to our lives. We are rich with God’s goodness.

Merry Christ – mas!

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When Things Go Wrong

There were lots of images I could have used for this morning’s blog but I thought a picture of Elvis, smiling, in a cowboy hat was a good way to start the day.

Growing up I often thought that things going wrong was God’s way of teaching me something. I was mistaken.

As I got older and wiser, I realized that some things that go wrong are a result of our lack of knowledge, our poor planning or our outright stubbornness. I also learned from God’s word that we have a real enemy, who we can’t see, that is out to steal, kill and destroy. If he can’t kill us he certainly wants to render us useless.

“A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:10 ERV

The Bible is filled with people who had circumstances in life go wrong.

  1. Joseph was sold into slavery
  2. Moses had to lead a million grumbling people
  3. Ruth’s husband died
  4. David faced a giant
  5. Daniel was carried away as a prisoner of war
  6. Hannah was barren
  7. Jesus was born during the cruelty of Roman rule in Israel
  8. A young Jesus went missing & his parents didn’t know where he was
  9. John the Baptist was thrown into prison and then beheaded
  10. Jesus was constantly harrassed by the religious leaders
  11. The disciples were in a storm at sea and nearly sank
  12. Peter was beaten and thrown in prison
  13. Paul was beaten, stoned, imprisoned and ship wrecked

These circumstances were not easy situations to deal with but each of them came to a positive end. In each occurrence the Father had a plan to rescue and restore. Each one of these people, people just like you and me, looked to the Lord for help and found it. They were never deserted by God or left to handle things on their own.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money. Be happy with what you have. God has said, ‘I will never leave you or let you be alone.’ 6 So we can say for sure, ‘The Lord is my Helper. I am not afraid of anything man can do to me.’” Hebrews 13:5-6 NLV

I know I quote these verses frequently and that’s because they are life verses for me. They have brought me through some really tough times, and brought me through with peace. We can spend so much of life chasing after financial gain that we lose sight of ouf Father’s provision. We can make money our god and be miserable.

However, when we keep our focus on the Lord and His presence in our lives and things go wrong we can be at peace. We can trust that God is with us and He will be our deliverer. He will be our help.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

When things go wrong we don’t have to go with them. We can come to the Maker of the Universe, the Almighty God who just happens to be our heavenly Father and when we do we will find all the help we need!

He’s reaching out to us; we simply need to take His hand.

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Everyday Life

The small details of everyday life are often miraculous!

We hear those stories of the Junior High Science Teacher who inspires a young student and then that student goes on to become an epidemiologist and their discoveries help millions of people. Or the High School Track Coach who challenges the relay runner to push just a little bit harder and then that track star goes on to win an Olympic medal.

These small but yet significant encouragements shape lives and inspire greatness.

The words “Mary, did you know?” filled my heart when I woke this morning. The answer to that question was “yes, she did”. An angel had told her the plans that God had for her and the baby she would carry.

“The angel greeted Mary and said, ‘You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.’

29 Mary was confused by the angel’s words and wondered what they meant. 30 Then the angel told Mary, ‘Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, 31 and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. 33 He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.'” Luke 1:28-33 CEV

Can you imagine how Mary must have felt? She was an ordinary girl, going about her daily routine but this day it was interrupted by an angel. Most likely she was a teenage girl who had heard the words of the Old Testament prophets who said that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. The Jewish people had been waiting for His coming for hundreds of years and now there was an angel standing before her telling her she was the one chosen to be His mother.

Yes, Mary knew!

I’m pretty sure that none of us have had an angel deliver us a message from the Lord, however, He speaks to us daily through His word.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

Every day when we open our Bibles and read what God inspired we are hearing His words and being taught by the Lord. He is interrupting our daily lives with His message. We can ignore that message or choose to obey it. God’s plans for us are good – in fact, the verse above says His word equips us for every good work.

Perhaps we will encourage and inspire others today or maybe God will send someone to inspire and encourage us. Everyday life is anything but ordinary when our hearts are open to God. Just ask Mary…

“Mary, did you know”?

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Waiting…

On Thanksgiving we told our three year-old granddaughter that she and her brother would be coming to our house for the weekend. She was excited. Her brother has come alone on a couple occasions but this would be her first trip without parents. When the day was done and we helped gather up the things our youngest daughter and family would take home from our oldest daughter’s, none of us were giving much thought to the next day when the kids would join us for the ride to our house.

No one except for Kristine.

She isn’t real expressive with words but when her dad lifted her into her car seat she said “Wrong car daddy”. Oh…we hadn’t made it clear that she wouldn’t be coming that night, she had to WAIT one more sleep and we would come for her in the morning. It made my heart hurt.

None of us do well with waiting.

Nowadays we live in an instant, microwave, IM world. Some things are just worth waiting on. As children we waited on Christmas morning; it brought excitement, anticipation and an almost sleepless night. As women we wait expectantly for 9months, 40 weeks – for the birth of a child. Each week, each month there’s a new joy of expectancy; we’re excitedly awaiting the due date.

Then there’s the joy of planning a wedding – deciding on the right dress, the flowers, the venue, the food – registering for gifts, planning the honeymoon – you get the picture – although it’s in the future, there’s joy in the planning.

Guys wait for that first hunting trip of the season, getting the tag, the food, scouting the right spot, the thrill of the hunt, buck fever; or it could be the High School State Football Championship – the weekly games, the playoffs and finally the championship game.

Perhaps it’s the promotion at work, graduation from college or trade school, moving out and getting your own place. It would be silly to think that any of these things could be accomplished without preparation, without the passage of time. Looking at the goal and preparing ourself each step along the way is what makes the end result so successful – so rewarding, so joyful.

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14

Wait on the Lord!

How many times have I heard someone get upset because they are having to wait for an answer to prayer, I will include myself in that. Let me encourage you with this; as we’re waiting on the Lord let’s prepare ourself to receive His blessings. Don’t be discouraged instead let the anticipation build and don’t grumble. Wait patiently!

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3

Little Kristine is here at Besta and Pappy’s now, without Momma and Daddy, and if you asked her if it was worth the wait I’m sure she’d say yes.

The Lord has so many special blessings planned for our lives. Waiting on Him is a great adventure.

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Needing Direction

Have you ever had that feeling of being lost and alone?

I think GPS devices were probably invented by someone who had been lost or had a loved one who had been. As annoying as that silly voice is, there is some comfort in knowing that someone knows where I am even if I don’t.

Dave and I watched a movie a while back, “Adrift”. It is based on a true story of a couple who are lost at sea. In one particular scene the young woman is using a sextant to plot their location. In desparation she declares that they are so far off their original course that she doubts anyone with find them. Physically they were lost but they were almost emotionally or mentally lost. Alone and afraid.

I think more people experience being lost emotionally than do physically. The inner turmoil that comes from feeling lost in a big world is unnerving and creates fear. There’s a way of thinking that leaves us feeling isolated and alone even when we are in a group of people. Where’s the GPS for that?

Glad you asked.

“With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

We all experience uncharted territory as we go through life but there is One who has gone before and He knows the way and will direct us safely through.

Joshua was a man who had been Moses assistant. He was being groomed to lead the Israelites into the land that God had promised them. Joshua had been there once as a young man but this was new territory. Being the leader of a nomadic nation of over a million people was also new territory. He had many reasons to feel lost and alone but he also had a word from God.

“Then Moses called Joshua. All the Israelites watched while Moses said to Joshua, “Be strong and brave. You will lead these people into the land that the Lord promised to give to their ancestors. You will help the Israelites take that land and divide it among them.  8 The Lord will lead you. He himself is with you. He will not fail you or leave you. Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid!” Deuteronomy 31:7-8 ERV

Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid. Let God lead!

Joshua followed that word and the Israelites were successful in conquering the new land God had given them. The first step into this uncharted territory was the step Joshua took in his heart. He put his confidence in the Lord, not in his own abilities. He trusted God to direct his steps.

What are our uncharted territories? Relationships, career, education, medical, financial, political or maybe a combination of these. We are not alone; we don’t have to have all the answers and in our finite minds we won’t. However, there is One who will guide us through. He will never leave us on our own.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 NLV

We can take comfort in that!

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Where Do You Hang Your Hat

I got up this morning and headed to the front door to let in the cool morning air and there it was. The hat rack.

Dave made it a couple years ago so we would have a handy place to hang our coats and hats. I love it! There’s room for our big cowboy hats and also smaller hooks for the ball caps that we wear on our walks. It’s always full.

This morning as I opened the door I was reminded of the words of an old expression – not a Scripture, just as expression. “Now that’s something I can hang my hat on”. For those of you who have never heard it let me share the meaning.

When you can “hang your hat on” something it means it’s dependable, reliable, trustworthy and believable. i.e. They’re someone I can hang my hat on, they’ve never let me down.

As we start into November, the month of giving thanks, it’s important to evaluate what we can depend on. Where do we hang our hat?

“Forever, O Lord, Your Word will never change in heaven. 90 You are faithful to all people for all time. You have made the earth, and it stands. 91 They stand today by Your Law, for all things serve You. 92 I would have been lost in my troubles if Your Law had not been my joy. 93 I will never forget Your Word for by it You have given me new life. 94 I am Yours. Save me, for I have looked to Your Law. 95 The sinful wait to destroy me, but I will think about Your Word. 96 I have seen that all things have an end, even if they are perfect, but Your Word is without end.” Psalm 119:89-96 NLV

There is only ONE that I know to be completely faithful and trustworthy, that is God and His word. God’s word is the exact representation of Him in this world. If we want to know how He thinks we read His word. If we desire to see how the Father will act and respond we read His word. When we search for instruction and wisdom we find it all in His word. I am thankful for the infallible Word of God. It has stood the test of time. It will never pass away.

Years ago we used this expression, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it”. However, the real truth is this. God says it and whether we believe it or not it’s settled. God’s Word is always reliable, always true.

Yes, the Word of God is where I hang my hat!

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Broken Plates – Broken Promises

When the garage sale was over there were a few things that needed to be packed away and saved for the next sale. I wrapped them carefully, not wanting them to be damaged before they appeared again.

I was reminded of a couple times when I’ve had to clean up broken plates and even more times when I’ve had to forgive and heal from broken promises.

One time, we had just moved to the Coeur d’Alene area of Idaho from Spokane, WA. I wanted to have an afternoon tea for my friends from Washington, introducing them to my friends in Idaho.

I had made cheesecake, cinnamon rolls, german chocolate cake and prepared cheese and meat trays along with vegetable trays. I set a serving table next to the breakfast bar and had covered it with the lace tablecloth and begun to set out the salad plates, silverware, cups and glasses. All of a sudden, and without warning, the table legs collasped at one end of the table and almost everything slid to the floor!

I was devastated!

The ladies would be arriving within the hour and I had a huge mess to clean up while still making the best presentation I could. I believe it’s important to honor the women in our lives and that’s what this gathering was all about. Making my friends feel special. I was able to get things cleaned up, with the help of one early arriving guest, and we all had a wonderful afternoon.

My next experience with broken plates occurred six and one-half years ago. Dave and our son were unloading the U-Haul that had transported all of our wordly possessions to Arizona from Montana. When we loaded the truck in Montana, I had carefully placed my kitchen dishes on the upper shelf of the van. They were the first things on and they would be the last things off.

What I hadn’t calculated properly was the May 30th temperatures in Arizona. Dave and Koy had worked hard all day carrying boxes and manuevering hand trucks up and down the ramp from the truck to the garage in 100+ degree temperatures. My dishes, the last tubs off, were set on the hand cart and brought down the ramp. The guys were exhausted – the cart slipped, the tubs tumbled and the dishes crashed. Our son was so apologetic, he was crushed!

Broken dishes. I’m just glad there were no broken bones!

I refused to open the tubs until later. Dishes can be replaced; relationships matter most! Accidents are just that and we all have them.

So, as I was packing the glassware that didn’t sell at the garage sale I was careful, but if things break, it’s not the end of the world.

Over the past sixty-seven years I have had broken dishes and broken promises. Things I’ve said with well meaning have not come to pass. I’m ashamed to admit that there have been times that I have made promises I had no intention of keeping and the Lord has forgiven me for that. I have also been made promises that have been broken. As hard as it has been at times I have tried to forgive and not harbor any ill feelings.

I am so grateful that God has never been guilty of breaking His word. No broken promises!

My favorite verse, my life verse, can be found in the book of Numbers. Of all the books in the Bible Numbers is really one of the most dry and uneventful books, its a census, but it holds my favorite verse.

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

Remember this and be thankful – God never breaks a promise, never! if necessary, sweep up broken dishes, move past broken dreams and forgive those who break their word.

God forgives us and He is always faithful!

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