Category: Goodness of God

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The Greater Gift

We are living in a time when there is so much uncertainty. A time when the Bible says, “men’s hearts will fail them for fear”. Unrest around the world, unusual weather conditions, financial distress and the daily fears and anxieties that inundate.

“The hearts of men will give up because of being afraid of what is coming on the earth. The powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Luke 21:26 NLV

But in all of this, we have received a gift that will keep our minds set on things above. It is a “present” to us all.

The ever-“present” power of God has been given to us as a gift.

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP

Did you get that? He will not, He WILL not, HE WLL NOT fail us or leave us without support!!!

A lot of people get hung up on the first part of verse 5 and lose the impact of the second half of the verse. But let me put it to you this way. I have two gifts. The first is limited, it’s temporary, it will run out and be used up. The second is limitless, eternal, inexhaustible, constantly renewable. Which one do you choose?

Which one is the greater gift?

Moses said to the children of Israel; I set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose life! That’s what this verse is saying – don’t go running after riches but instead choose God who promises to never leave you because in Him is an infinite supply for whatever we need.

We have been given a wonderful Gift who is always present.

“This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be “Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 ERV

And that Son has promised to never leave us or abandon us, regardless of life’s circumstances.

Jesus said: “… I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20 CEV

Now, let’s ask and answer the question in Hebrews 13:6. What can man do to me?

When God is on my side, as my comfort, my encourager, my helper, man’s attacks are incomparable to God’s power. Circumstances and situations change when we put them in God’s hands. Storms come; attacks are launched but we have been given a gift greater than wealth or fame. We have been given the gift of His abiding presence.

The greater gift is ours!

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Waiting for the Sun

Waiting on the sunrise this morning, I know it will be a glorious day!

There’s an old hymn that I’m humming as I wait:

1 When morning gilds the sky,
our hearts awaking cry:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
in all our work and prayer
we ask his loving care:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

2 To God, the Word on high,
the hosts of angels cry:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let mortals too upraise
their voice in hymns of praise:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

May Jesus Christ be praised! Praised from every corner of the earth. Praised by all the heavenly hosts. Praised by the angels’ chorus. Praised because He is worthy of all praise.

“They sang songs of praise and thanksgiving, taking turns in singing each part. They sang, ‘The LORD is good. His faithful love will last forever.’ Then all the people cheered—they gave a loud shout and praised the LORD because the foundation of the LORD’S Temple had been laid.” Ezra 3:11 ERV

Let’s follow the example of those Jews who were responsible for rebuilding the Temple today. Let’s take turns singing our part in the praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

These people were rejoicing because the foundation of the temple had been laid, which meant that God would be dwelling with them once again. You see, they felt that the presence of God was with them because He lived in the Holy of Holies in the temple and rebuidling the temple meant that God had a place to live once again.

We should be giving thanks every day because we have been promised that God’s presence is always with us – never leaving us or forsaking us – His presence dwells within us when we are in Christ. That’s reason to give praise.

Each one sang their part. I’ll sing my part today and I hope you’ll join in too.

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Full of Thanks

Thank-ful-ness!

Some years back, I was asked by a friend to write an article on thankfulness. Those of you that have been reading the blog for any length of time know that I generally take the month of November to remind us of what God’s word says about being thankful.

How could I condense a month’s worth of writing into a single article?

I didn’t have to figure it out on my own, I simply had to be obedient and open to what the Lord put on my heart and then put that down on paper. Thank you, Jesus.

That was then and this is now. All these years later I am still full of thanks. Grateful for all the Lord has done in my life and for those that I love dearly. Many events have transpired – moments of great joy, days of routine, and times of stress, disappointment and some heartache. My resolve to be thankful remains the same.

Sitting here this morning, as I do most every morning, while it’s still dark and feeling the cool fall air, (down to 51 this morning), enjoying the warmth of a good cup of coffee and seeking the Father for the day’s direction, I am very thankful. Thankful that my Father is still in control; He hasn’t fallen off His throne. His omniscience is superior to the knowledge of the world’s wisest men, and His omnipresence penetrates to the farthest reaches of the universe. With everything He has before Him this day, Jesus reminds me:

“My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too.

28 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.” Matthew 11:27-29 CEV

Jesus has taken the time to tell us about the Father and not only that, but Jesus made a way for us to be adopted by the Father so that we can call Him “Abba Father” (Papa or Daddy) and we can experience firsthand His love and compassion.

“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.” Romans 8:15 ERV

I don’t have to have all the answers and I don’t have to learn by “hard knocks”. I can trust the Father and learn from Him.

“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

My greatest desire and ambition is that I leave a legacy of trusting and following the Lord. A legacy that my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will embrace.

May you experience that as well. Enjoy your day and let the Father lead you. There you will find rest. Be “full of thanks” and trust the Lord!

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Hush Now!

I couldn’t sleep on Friday night and I was up at 2 a.m. praying.

Those of you who have been reading my blog for any length of time know that this is something that happens occasionally. I find it is one of the best ways to go back to sleep, praying for those I love.

But this particular time, my prayers were more intense. If I’m honest, I found myself doing some complaining and questioning why I haven’t seen a change in a couple of situations. The Lord let me prattle on for a few more minutes and then very distinctly I heard, “Hush now. Be still”.

Those words weren’t harsh or rude. They were comforting, corrective, calm and reassuring. Like the words of a parent who has picked up a crying child to comfort them, these words touched my heart.

And then the Scripture verses that I have committed to memory over the years came flooding in.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 NKJV

“Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3 NKJV

And then, in my heart the Lord took me back to that quiet place, the place I love to camp out.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” Psalm 23:1-3 NLT

“My soul is quiet and waits for God alone. He is the One Who saves me. 2 He alone is my rock and the One Who saves me. He is my strong place. I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 NLV

Now, unless you think I’m going through some great trial – it’s not that at all. There are just some things I have given to the Lord in prayer that I still haven’t seen answers to yet. I’ve gotten a little impatient in the waiting.

“I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NLV

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

I’d like to encourage you. If you hear the Lord hush you – telling you to be still, I want you to remember the rest of that verse. Be still AND know that I AM GOD! Go to a green pasture and rest while God does what only God can do.

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Victory in Jesus…

…because of the cross!

Yesterday, I ended the blog with this verse: ““The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” John 10:10 AMP

That my friend is a life of victory!

As a Christian we aren’t promised a life void of conflict or battles, but we are promised to emerge from those battles just like David in his fight with Goliath; we are promised victory. Today, we are going to run our cups over with victory.

“ In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love…” Romans 8:37-38 CEV

“ I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

“But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory! 58 My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

“ Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11  Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:10-13 CEV

“ Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 CEV

Jesus said: “The time will come and is already here when all of you will be scattered. Each of you will go back home and leave me by myself. But the Father will be with me, and I won’t be alone. 33 I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.” John 16:32-33 CEV

“God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:14-15 CEV

The words of the Bible are very plain. We have the victory in Christ Jesus! We have been given the power to stand in the presence of our enemies! They HAVE BEEN defeated by Christ when He hung on the cross.

O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

That old hymn means more to me today than when I was a child. My life has been filled with victory because of His blood! Oh, victory in Jesus!!

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Prospectors Wanted

I wanted you to know that I missed sharing with you yesterday. I was having problems with my computer but they have been remedied. Thank you Jesus!

When we lived in Montana we were less than a thirty-minute drive from Bannock, an historic mining town. We enjoyed visiting there especially when we had family and friends visiting.

The original old buildings, the cemetery, the creek that had been filled with gold and rubies were all intriguing. Our grandchildren, in particular, had fun panning for gold. They actually found some small flakes. The joy was in the prospecting!

Strange how reading Scripture can trigger memories of life experiences.

“ My son, don’t forget my teaching. Remember what I tell you to do. 2 What I teach will give you a good, long life, and all will go well for you. 3 Don’t ever let love and loyalty leave you. Tie them around your neck, and write them on your heart. 4 Then God will be pleased and think well of you and so will everyone else. 5 Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body…13 Those who find wisdom are fortunate; they will be blessed when they gain understanding. 14 Profit that comes from wisdom is better than silver and even the finest gold. 15 Wisdom is worth more than fine jewels. Nothing you desire has more value.

16 With her right hand, Wisdom offers long life—with the other hand, riches and honor. 17 Wisdom will lead you to a life of joy and peace. 18 Wisdom is like a life-giving tree to those who hold on to her; she is a blessing to those who keep her close.” Proverbs 3:1-18 ERV

Wisdom is worth more than fine jewels, better than silver and the finest gold! Wisdom comes from the Lord.

“Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom. 6 But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind…17 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 from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:5, 6, 17 ERV

The wisdom we gain from God’s word is priceless. The Father is generous and enjoys giving it to all who ask. Reading God’s word is like prospecting in a stream where you can see the golden nuggets from the surface. We just need to reach down and pluck them out.

“His teachings are worth more than pure gold. They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:10 ERV

What do you plan to do today? May I suggest you go prospecting – God is always looking for prospectors. He desires to show you the riches of His good pleasure.

Prospectors are always Wanted!

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Always There!

I started my morning reading in the book of Nehemiah. It’s a little book in the Old Testament and deals with the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem by those Jews who had been released from exile in Babylonia.

What could we possible learn from them? Right? We learn of Almighty God’s unfailing faithfulness!

“But when they were at peace, they would turn against you, and you would hand them over to their enemies. Then they would beg for help, and because you are merciful, you rescued them over and over again.” Nehemiah 9:28 CEV

In that chapter, Nehemiah repeats about 4 times how God was faithful to rescue the Israelites over and over again, Because He was Merciful!

Have you ever felt abandon? Becoming desperate in your search and almost hopeless. Then in your desperation you cry out for help.

You hear someone speak but you don’t really hear his voice until he calls you by name. “Kristi” and no one says my name like Jesus! There He is, coming to my aid. because He is merciful.

The is the story of Mary in John 20. She ran to the tomb in the Garden on the first day of the week so she could properly prepare His body. The tomb was empty, so she went back to tell the disciples that Jesus’ body was gone. They all came running and when they found the tomb empty they all left but Mary.

She stayed looking for Jesus, instead she found the angels who wanted to know why she was so upset. She told them she was looking for her Lord and wanted to know who had taken him away.

Then she saw someone she thought was the gardener and asked him if He had taken Jesus body. She didn’t recognize him as Jesus until He spoke her name – as he said her name “Mary” – she knew Him immediately.

“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.’ The Aramaic word Rabboni means “Teacher.” John 20:15-16 ERV

Two different scenarios. One, a people who rebelled against God time and again. Doing their own thing, making their own gods and serving their own desires and pleasures. The other had her Lord, whom she loved, murdered and now His body had been “stolen”.

In desperation both called out for help. The Israelites found deliverance and forgiveness and Mary found her Lord and consolation. There is no circumstance or situation that God will ignore and abandon us. He is always faithful.

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

In your desperate search, take time to listen for His voice. He is there and He will always be there. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you and He never will.

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Running Over

When our children were young, they would get to go and spend the night with Grama and Grampa quite frequently.

Our son, in particular, was an early riser. When he woke up, he was always hungry and so he would wake up Gram and tell her he needed breakfast. After a few incidents like this, Mom came up with a plan.

She poured a bowl of dry cereal and put it on the kitchen table. Then she poured a small pitcher of milk and let it in the refrigerator. She told our son that he could pour his own milk when he got up and have his cereal without waking anyone else up. Perfect plan – almost.

The next morning son followed the directions to a “t”. He got the milk out of the refrigerator and dumped it into the bowl. You know what happened, right? Yes. As the milk went in the cereal came out, leaving a mess on the table. His bowl runneth over!

That’s the picture I have in my mind’s eye every time I read Psalm 23.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.
4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me,
and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe.

5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

My cup overflows!

In the darkest of times – when I can see death and my enemies surround me – He fills my cup (my bowl) to overflowing. He fills it with His kindness and His love. And it isn’t just a one-time thing. The Lord continually fills my cup all the days of my life.

He protects and He provides. Jesus said that He came to give us a life of abundance.

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

Life with the overflowing presence of God Almighty.

My mom had to clean up the table and the floor because of the overflow of the milk but God isn’t concerned about what spills out. His love and goodness are never wasted. They never run out.

“On that day Jesus stood up and said loudly, “Whoever is thirsty may come to me and drink. 38 If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from their heart. That is what the Scriptures say.” 39 Jesus was talking about the Spirit. ” John 7:37-39 ERV

The Spirit of God fills our hearts to overflowing with the character of Christ. That overflow is evidence to the world that God’s love is everlasting.

As I finish up this morning, a children’s Sunday School song, began to run through my mind. “Running over, running over, my cup is full and running over.”

I pray that you let the love of God fill your cup to full and running over.

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Little Things

Do you ever feel like your daily routine is insignificant? Not a neurosurgeon, a first responder, a community influencer? If you weren’t around would anyone notice?

I want to take you to one of my favorite Scriptures for moments of thinking just like that.

“ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLV

God’s plans for us are not insignificant, they are designed perfectly for our benefit and to encourage and bless those around us. We don’t need a public pulpit to make an impact; there are lives we touch quietly each day who are recipients of the Father’s love shown through us.

Yesterday, our mail carrier told me how glad he was that I was back from my vacation. He said, “I look forward to our little visits”. I probably speak with him five minutes a day. But I listen and am always interested in his well-being. To him, that’s significant.

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:16-17 NLV

Whatever we do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus – wow! That’s a very important tasking. Do I get this right – not all the time. In fact, I fail more than I would like to admit. But I am also more successful than I used to be. The Holy Spirit is quick to correct me when I mess up and say or do something I shouldn’t. I truly appreciate that correction! I want to be a good ambassador for God’s kingdom.

“ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” II Corinthians 5:19-21 NLV

We have a message to deliver. A message of reconciliation – God is no longer counting people’s sins against them. Those sins have been paid for through Christ and we have been made right with God. Now, that’s no little thing.

“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” Psalm 141:3 NLV

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalm 143:8 NLV

So, today take pleasure in the little things. Small conversations, little acts of kindness, forgiveness shown, grace given. We are ambassadors of the King!

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The Soil & The Seed

This morning’s blog is a marriage of two thoughts. Complaining is a weed that will stifle our harvest of peace and spiritual growth.

I remember a time that I bought two identical plants. Took them home and repotted them, set them on the watering system so they both got the same amount of water. They sat side by side in the sun. Everything was exactly the same except for the soil and the soil effected the production of the plant.

The Prophet Hosea, the Apostle Paul and Jesus have some important instruction that will help us all to be more fruitful.

“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’” Hosea 10:12 NLT

You see the plants that I thought were identical had one difference. One had been put in a pot with old, hard soil and the other in a pot with new, fresh soil. Soil makes a difference.

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Matthew 13:3-9 NLT

“The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.” Matthew 13:20-22 NLT

The problem wasn’t with the seed; it was with the soil. God’s word is the seed, our hearts are the soil.

“ If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” I Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT

Paul is giving strong admonition to the Christians in Corinth. Don’t let the temptation to complain and murmur about your circumstances cause you to stray from the Lord.

Their ancestors had seen all of God’s power when He delivered them from Egypt; crossing the Red Sea; living under the pillar of cloud by day; eating manna from heaven; drinking water from a rock and still they complained and rebelled.

Good word for today. How many times a day do we find ourselves complaining about something? How many times are we trusting in our own strength and not His?

It’s time we break up the hard ground, pull some weeds and give the seed of God’s word room to grow!

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