Category: Hope

Posted on

Living in the Sunshine

Now before you think that I am going to wax poetic about the joys of living in the desert, I want to share some thoughts with you that the Lord brought to me yesterday in my quiet time.

I have been dealing with some issues that require decisions and actions on my part. I was telling the Lord that I didn’t want to make a decision based on my own knowledge, fear or a sense of urgency.

It was then that I remembered these verses.

“ 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.” Proverbs 3:5-8 ERV

I don’t want to do things or make decisions based on my own “common sense”. I want everything I do to be God-led and God-directed.  My intelligence and understanding  give me a limited view of the things before me, like a flashlight on a dark night.

But trusting the Lord completely and relying on His understanding of the situation is  comparable to the light of the sun at noonday. Nothing is hidden, everything is revealed. I would much rather walk in the light of the sunshine than with the light of a flashlight.

Remember a few days ago in the story of Saul/Paul. Saul was met on the road to Damascus by a bright blinding light from heaven. That’s God’s light and it’s so much greater than any light we use.  The same light appeared with the angels to the shepherds when they announced the birth of Jesus.

Trusting the Lord and His wisdom is far beyond my own wisdom and understanding.

“ But for you that honor my name, victory will shine like the sun with healing in its rays, and you will jump around like calves at play. 3 When I come to bring justice, you will trample those who are evil, as though they were ashes under your feet. I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken!” Malachi 4:2-3 ERV

God caused the sun to stand still for Joshua when he was fighting a battle. The sun represented God’s power and promise working for the Israelites.  As long as it was present they were winning.

“The Lord was helping the Israelites defeat the Amorites that day. So about noon, Joshua prayed to the Lord loud enough for the Israelites to hear:

“Our Lord, make the sun stop
    in the sky over Gibeon,
and the moon stand still
    over Aijalon Valley.”
So the sun and the moon
    stopped and stood still
until Israel defeated its enemies.

This poem can be found in The Book of Jashar. The sun stood still and didn’t go down for about a whole day. 14 Never before and never since has the Lord done anything like that for someone who prayed. The Lord was really fighting for Israel.” Joshua 10:12-14 CEV

So yesterday, after my quiet time I took Glory, our dog, for a walk. While I was on the walk the Lord reassured me to “wait” pursuing my own idea for a solution and to trust Him. After all, His ways are perfect.

This morning I woke refreshed. I plan on living this day in the “Son Shine”!

 

Posted on

Friends Through Fire & Rain

Do you smell like smoke? Odd question isn’t it?

It could be the smoke of something that burned in the kitchen, a good cigar or pipe, or perhaps a campfire. My son smells like smoke frequently – he’s a firefighter.

We have been looking at different people in the Bible who have had a friendship relationship with God. God has never been nor will He ever be a “fair weather” friend. He has made us promises to never leave us or abandon us.

“But now the Lord Who made you, O Jacob, and He Who made you, O Israel, says, “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...” Isaiah 43:1-3a NLV

In the book of Daniel chapter 3, King Nebuchadnezzar commanded that a statue of gold be built in his likeness. All the people who lived in the country were to bow down and worship the statue when they heard music playing. Everyone did as there were told except for three Jewish young men who were prisoners in the country. You’ve probably heard of them; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Those in authority told the king that these men wouldn’t bow and it made him very angry. He called them in and gave them strict warning that next time they heard the music they were to bow.

The music played but the men didn’t bow. They were brought before the king again and he was extremely angry. He had the furnace heated hotter than it had been for melting gold, had the  men bound and thrown into the fire.

Let’s digress from a moment. In his original warning the king had told them they would be thrown into the furnace if they didn’t bow. This was their response.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, it is not necessary for us to answer you on this point. 17 If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!” Daniel 3:16-18 AMPC

Let me paraphrase. King we don’t have to take a lot of time to think about our answer. If you throw us in the fire our God will deliver us. If you don’t throw us in we still aren’t going to serve your god or worship your statue.

They knew that God had brought Noah safely through the flood, they knew the stories of how God used to Moses to deliver the children of Israel. They were not afraid to stand strong because they knew that God would be there with them!

At this response, they were bound and  thrown in the furnance. Now here’s where it gets interesting. Nebuchadnezzar was looking on and as he watched, he saw that the men were walking around in the fire and that there was a fourth man in there with them!

Hallelujah!! God showed up in grand fashion.

To this the King reacted:

“Nebuchadnezzar went closer to the flaming furnace and said to the three young men, “You servants of the Most High God, come out at once!” They came out, 27 and the king’s high officials, governors, and advisors all crowded around them. The men were not burned, their hair wasn’t scorched, and their clothes didn’t even smell like smoke. 28 King Nebuchadnezzar said: Praise their God for sending an angel to rescue his servants! They trusted their God and refused to obey my commands. Yes, they chose to die rather than to worship or serve any god except their own. 29 And I won’t allow people of any nation or race to say anything against their God. Anyone who does will be chopped up and their houses will be torn down, because no other god has such great power to save.” Daniel 3:26-29 CEV

These men were slaves in a foreign country. They took a very unpopular stand – they refused to worship any god other than God the Father. They were persecuted and their lives were threatened but they stood strong.

They went through a fiery trial and came out, not even smelling like smoke.

If you’re going through a fiery trial of persecution for your stand for the Lord, Stand strong! Don’t bend, don’t compromise, don’t bow – God will show up and walk in the fire with you and He will bring you out!

Posted on

Stop and Smell the Flowers – Carefully

Go back

Your message has been sent

Yesterday I was out in the yard, the prickly pear are filled with blooms and I stopped to take a picture for a friend.

If you look closely in the top bloom you will see a honey bee bathing himself in pollen. It was fascinating to watch. He would dive in and roll around covering himself in yellow pollen. I tried to get a video of it but he flew away.

Who taught him to do that? Who gives the hummingbirds their command to fly south for the winter and to return in the Spring? Who tells the horses and cattle in the fields to grow thick heavy coats in the winter as protection from the cold? How do sea turtles know to come to the sandy beaches to lay their eggs? And who instructs the salmon to return to their spawning grounds?

These are not creatures with great intelligence. However, they were created with the instinct for preservation of life. Who gave them that instinct? The Creator of all things!

“God said, “I command the ocean to be full of living creatures, and I command birds to fly above the earth.” 21 So God made the giant sea monsters and all the living creatures that swim in the ocean. He also made every kind of bird. God looked at what he had done, and it was good.” Genesis 1:20-21 CEV

Since God created it all and gave such great forethought to every detail of His creation isn’t it safe to assume that He is equally as concerned with the details of our lives?

““But ask the wild animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. 8 Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you. Let the fish of the sea make it known to you. 9 Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? 10 In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all men.” Job 12:7-10 NLV

Jesus told us that we should be free from worry about our daily necessities by comparing the way God provides for the flowers and birds to us. I know I use that analogy frequently but it’s because I am still so amazed by His love and provision.

“I tell you this: Do not worry about your life. Do not worry about what you are going to eat and drink. Do not worry about what you are going to wear. Is not life more important than food? Is not the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds in the sky. They do not plant seeds. They do not gather grain. They do not put grain into a building to keep. Yet your Father in heaven feeds them! Are you not more important than the birds? 27 Which of you can make himself a little taller by worrying? 28 Why should you worry about clothes? Think how the flowers grow. They do not work or make cloth. 29 But I tell you that Solomon in all his greatness was not dressed as well as one of these flowers. 30 God clothes the grass of the field. It lives today and is burned in the stove tomorrow. How much more will He give you clothes? You have so little faith! 31 Do not worry. Do not keep saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘What will we wear?’ 32 The people who do not know God are looking for all these things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all these things.” Matthew 6:25-32 NLV

Each time I see an example of God’s goodness in nature like the honey bee yesterday or the hummingbirds that come daily to my feeders it makes me stop and say thank you. God didn’t have to provide for us. He didn’t have to shower us with love and affection but He chose to. Independent of me efforts or lack thereof, He chose to love me! Amazing!!

“When I look up and think about Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in their place, 4 what is man, that You think of him, the son of man that You care for him? 5 You made him a little less than the angels and gave him a crown of greatness and honor. 6 You made him to rule over the works of Your hands. You put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and cattle, all the wild animals, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and all that pass through the sea. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how great is Your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:3-9 NLV

If you’re feeling down today, thinking that no one notices or really cares about the struggles you’re facing, go find a flower. Look at its intricacies and remind yourself that God who created these flowers is your loving heavenly Father and He cares, He deeply cares about you.

Elvis Presley sang a song years ago and the lyrics go like this:

Who made the mountains, who made the trees
Who made the rivers flow to the sea
And who sends the rain when the earth is dry
Somebody bigger than you and I

Who made the flowers to bloom in the spring
Who made the song for the robins to sing
And who hung the moon in the starry sky
Somebody bigger than you and I

He lights the way when the road is long
He keeps you company
And with His love to guide you
He walks beside you
Just like He walks with me

When I am weary, filled with despair
Who gives me courage to go on from there
And who gives me faith that will never die
Somebody bigger than you and I
Bigger than you and I

Let your heart be filled with song as you stop and smell the flowers!

Posted on

What Time Is It?

I’m late, I’m late for a very important date!

We seem to be a people obsessed with time. Everything is scheduled; appointments must be kept. No room for variance. Heaven forbid that something or someone interrupts our schedule.

Sun dials, sand timers, church bells striking the hour, and now probably the last thing many see each night is the clock on the dresser and alarms are set for morning rising.

I’ve hear it said that time is the most valuable commodity. When it’s lost it’s impossible to get it back. No one person has any more time than another. Wealth can’t buy it and poverty can’t deprive us of it.

The important question is what do we do with the time we have. Do we use it wisely or do we waste it? With the recent passing of Barbara Bush many have referred to a speech she gave at a college graduation. She talked about the important things in life, time. Time spent with loved ones, time invested into their lives far outweighs the time that is spent making a deal or gaining another step up the ladder.

If we follow the example that Jesus gave we will be more concerned with people than with things. He had time to play with the children, talk to a beggar, heal the blind and provide emotional healing to the outcast.  He had time for all these people because He first took time to spend with His Father.

“Jesus healed many of those who had different kinds of sicknesses…The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray.” Mark 1:34 & 35 ERV

What time is it for you? 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  it is time to praise the Lord!

“I will sing praises to you, my source of strength. You, God, are my place of safety. You are the God who loves me!” Psalm 59:17 ERV

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

Did you notice these verses are relational? King David wasn’t just focusing on his situation. No, he was taking time with others. Telling them what he had learned and experienced. He was investing in those around him and telling them of the goodness of God.

What time is it? Time to look up and be glad. Time to invest in the lives of those we love.

Posted on

Over, Under, Around or Through

Those of you who had young children in the 70’s, or perhaps you were a young child then, know that phrase well. It came from the characters on Sesame Street.

 

It was repeated continually to teach kids the directional concepts of over, under, around or through.

So many times we look for ways to get over (above) our circumstances instead of being under them. We would like to go around difficulties but are never too anxious to go through them.

A while back I did  a search on the word “bridge”. I wanted to share with you some wonderful thoughts about Jesus being our “bridge over troubled waters” (yes, our church youth choir actually sang that when I was in high school). But there is no bridge in Scripture.

And then I got to thinking about times in the Bible when people would have needed a bridge. Crossing the Jordan, The Red Sea, Sea of Galilee. You know what I found – God either parted the water or gave power to walk on it.

Some may be looking for a bridge. Looking for something to help you cross a river of circumstances in your life. I want to offer you a new prospective. Instead of looking for a way over, look for a way through.

“But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says: Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 43:1-3 TLB

The Father has victory for us if we keep our eyes on Him.

“At once, Jesus said to them, “Don’t worry! I am Jesus. Don’t be afraid.” 28 Peter replied, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come on!” Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward him.” Matthew 14:27-29 CEV

The first thing you will hear from the Lord is “don’t worry, don’t be afraid”. In other words I can hear Jesus saying, “I’ve got this!” Peter’s problem came when he got his eyes off Jesus and on the circumstances. We must keep our focus and not become distracted from God’s promises.

But if we do, like Peter, we call out for help and Jesus will grab ahold of us and bring us to safety.

So instead of trying to build a bridge today go through and see what God will do!

Posted on

A Simple Touch

There’s a lady I would like you to meet today.

She has been ill for many years. In fact, she has spent almost every penny she has on doctors and she has only gotten worse. Her insurance has run out and she has become an outcast in society.

She isn’t allowed in the public places anymore because people have shunned her.  According to the laws, if she goes out in public she has to stay out of crowds and announce that she is unclean and she can’t have any social interaction with friends and neighbors. She’s a lonely lady but she isn’t hopeless.

In fact she is full of hope. So much so that she is willing to put her very life on the line to follow Jesus!

She heard He is going to be in her neighborhood today and she has heard how many people He has touched and healed and she is determined to get to Him. In her heart she keeps saying, “If I can just touch Him, I will be healed”.  It’s time to go out in the street, on the road – has anyone recognized her? Will they step to the side or pull back from being close to her? Do they know she’s unclean – what has she got to lose?

The crowd in the streets is getting larger. So many people and they are all headed in the same direction. In her weakened physical condition she presses on.  Oh, this is tougher than she thought but she can’t quit now – she has to keep going.  Pushing through the sea of people and being lost in the crowd she can see Him now.  There He is – she can see the back of his head, she’s getting closer!

No! Who’s that with him?

It’s Jairus, one of the leaders from the synagogue!  If he sees her she could be stoned on the spot!  “I have to reach Jesus,  I’ve been following all this time, I have to reach Him. I can almost touch Him.”

Stretching out her hand, she leans forward and she touches Jesus.

“ So Jesus went with Jairus. Many people followed Jesus. They were pushing very close around him.

25 There among the people was a woman who had been bleeding for the past twelve years. 26 She had suffered very much. Many doctors had tried to help her, and all the money she had was spent, but she was not improving. In fact, her sickness was getting worse.

27 The woman heard about Jesus, so she followed him with the other people and touched his coat. 28 She thought, “If I can just touch his clothes, that will be enough to heal me.” 29 As soon as she touched his coat, her bleeding stopped. She felt that her body was healed from all the suffering. 30 Jesus immediately felt power go out from him, so he stopped and turned around. “Who touched my clothes?” he asked.

31 The followers said to Jesus, “There are so many people pushing against you. But you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

32 But Jesus continued looking for the one who touched him. 33 The woman knew that she was healed, so she came and bowed at Jesus’ feet. She was shaking with fear. She told Jesus the whole story. 34 He said to her, “Dear woman, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace. You will not suffer anymore.”  Mark 5:24-34

Do you see her? The tears are running down her cheeks, she has met Jesus. Her life has been changed. The Master had compassion on her and she is healed!

She risked all to follow Jesus.  In that crowd, I can only imagine that there were others who were sick and infirmed.  What her different?   Jesus said she believed! She had hope, but she didn’t beg – she believed; she trusted in, adhered to and relied on Jesus to be her healer.

She followed Jesus and she found healing, peace, joy and love!

Are you willing to follow Him today?

 

 

 

Posted on

Safe on Stormy Seas

Dave and I like to watch historically factual movies. Over the last few months we have seen stories on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots; a prison ship that sailed from England to New South Wales; a series on the founding of the western frontier; one based on the fur trappers and traders that opened northern trades routes and another on the Revolutionary War.

At some point during each one of these we have made the comment that we certainly have an easy life compared to those who came before us. We had to consider how we would have reacted if we had been alive during those times.

This morning while I was praying and thanking God for the life I have I began to consider these people and their hardships and then I thought of Paul, the apostle. His life was impacted by persecution and peril. I focused in on his strength and resolve. I want you to see his comments. I think you will find hope and encouragement by seeing how the Lord met him in his greatest struggles.

Paul accepted the life of a missionary. He traveled Europe and Asia proclaiming the message of Christ. Each city he went too had converts but also critics. Some of the critics sought to discredit Paul by bragging about their credentials. This is where we find Paul speaking up in II Corinthians 11. The passage I am including is lengthy but please read it. Listen to the words of a man who has faced severe danger and persecution.

“Are they Jews? So am I. Are they from the family of Israel? So am I. Are they from the family of Abraham? So am I. 23 Do they work for Christ? I have worked for Him much more than they have. (I speak as if I am crazy.) I have done much more work. I have been in prison more times. I cannot remember how many times I have been whipped. Many times I have been in danger of death. 24 Five different times the Jews whipped me across my back thirty-nine times. 25 Three times they beat me with sticks. One time they threw stones at me. Three times I was on ships that were wrecked. I spent a day and a night in the water. 26 I have made many hard trips. I have been in danger from high water on rivers. I have been in danger from robbers. I have been in danger from the Jews. I have been in danger from people who do not know God. I have been in danger in cities and in the desert. I have been in danger on the sea. I have been in danger among people who say they belong to Christ but do not. 27 I have worked hard and have been tired and have had pain. I have gone many times without sleep. I have been hungry and thirsty. I have gone without food and clothes. I have been out in the cold. 28 More than all these things that have happened to my body, the care of all the churches is heavy on me. 29 When someone is weak, I feel weak also. When someone is led into sin, I have a strong desire to help him. 30 If I must talk about myself, I will do it about the things that show how weak I am. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be honored and thanked forever. He knows I am telling the truth. 32 In the city of Damascus the leader of the people under King Aretas put soldiers at the gates to take me. 33 But I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and I got away.” II Corinthians 11:22-33 NLV

People either hated Paul or loved him. His message was one of life and peace but it was greatly opposed yet he kept going. Where did he find the strength? He tells us.

“8 I asked the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me. 10 I receive joy when I am weak. I receive joy when people talk against me and make it hard for me and try to hurt me and make trouble for me. I receive joy when all these things come to me because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:8-10 NLV

Do you see the answer to Paul’s prayer? “When I am weak, then I am strong”. That’s the same answer that Christ gives to us. When we feel weak, helpless, hopeless, discouraged, misunderstood, pick on or abandoned we can find strength in our weakness because Christ will come to make us strong. Paul wasn’t always saved from the storm but he was always safe in the storm.

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

Jesus said, “A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

We have Jesus’ word that He came to provide us with a good life, a life of victory and peace. He promised to give us strength for whatever comes our way. So many times we want a life that is “storm free” and start to cave when troubles come. Remember, Daniel wasn’t saved from the lion’s den but in it. Noah wasn’t kept from the flood but he was safe above it. Jesus wasn’t kept from the cross but rose victoriously from the tomb. Here’s one final thought from the Apostle Paul. One that will give encouragement and hope.

“We are like clay jars in which this treasure (God’s strength) is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. 8 We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. 9 In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11 We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us…

17 These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. 18 Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.” II Corinthians 4:7-18 CEV

We need to be like Paul, always aware that God is with us. We draw our strength from Him when we face “little troubles”. We get up and go on knowing that God is there to keep us safe on stormy seas.

When we are weak, we are strong in God!

Posted on

Heading Home

We’ve been gone from home for the last 7 days and although we thoroughly enjoyed our time with Mom it will be so good to pull into our own driveway and sleep in our own bed.

 

With that said, it got me to thinking about Jesus this morning. His home was perfect – a beautiful place; a place where He and the Father enjoyed constant companionship, a place of worship, a place of glory. Jesus left that for you and I.

The song lyrics go
“He left the splendor of heaven
Knowing His destiny
Was the lonely hill of Golgotha
There to lay down His life for me

If that isn’t Love
The ocean is dry
There’s no stars in the sky
And the sparrow can’t fly
If that isn’t Love
Then heaven’s a myth
There’s no feeling like this
If that isn’t love

Even in death He remembered
The thief hanging by His side
He spoke with love and compassion
Then He took him to paradise

If that isn’t Love
The ocean is dry
There’s no stars in the sky
And the sparrow can’t fly
If that isn’t Love
Then heaven’s a myth
There’s no feeling like this
If that isn’t love”
If That Isn’t Love by Dottie Rambo

Never once did you hear Jesus complain about what He had given up, what He had left behind. Instead He continually looked around finding needs, meeting them; healing the sick, ministering to the poor, giving comfort to those who grieved and strength to those who were weak. He had a purpose, a plan, a provision of salvation to bring and He wasn’t going to stop until it was mission accomplished.

We are instructed by the writer of the book of Hebrews to keep our eyes on Jesus (imagine that, look up) and follow His example.

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:2-3

He looked beyond the struggle and saw the joy that was before Him. He looked toward home. Can you imagine what the celebration must have been like when Jesus got back to heaven?! What rejoicing – what a party!! And now that He’s there, He’s preparing a place for us.

Let me encourage you today to look past the things that are trying to get you down – finances, jobs, health, marriage, relationships, politics, etc and look toward Jesus and home.

You’ll make it and you just won’t go limping into heaven but you’ll go like Jesus, in victory because He has promised that He will ALWAYS cause us to triumph if we look to Him and put our trust in Him and not in our circumstances.

Welcome Home!

Posted on

A Donkey’s Tale

Thousands of years ago a donkey and her colt were tied in a village near Jerusalem. The owner had left them there as he went about his business.

Two men came to the village looking for this particular pair. They were on a mission. A mission that would be memorable and quite possibly the most frightening thing this young colt would ever do.

Matthew 21 tells the story of Jesus instructing his disciples on where to find a donkey that He would ride into town.

The Pharisees and temple leaders were seeking to kill Jesus. The common folk who heard that he was coming went to out to find him. Strangers who didn’t know about Jesus were caught up in the excitement and joined in.

Jesus wasn’t going to hide from those who wanted to destroyed him. He came out in public to be recognized by all those who wanted to honor him and praise Him as God’s Son!

“The disciples left and did what Jesus had told them to do. 7 They brought the donkey and its colt and laid some clothes on their backs. Then Jesus got on. 8 Many people spread clothes in the road, while others put down branches which they had cut from trees. 9 Some people walked ahead of Jesus and others followed behind. They were all shouting,
“Hooray for the Son of David! God bless the one who comes
in the name of the Lord. Hooray for God in heaven above!”
10 When Jesus came to Jerusalem, everyone in the city was excited and asked, “Who can this be?” 11 The crowd answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:6-11 ERV

In all of the excitement, Jesus was the only one who really knew what was going to happen in the next few days.  It was almost time for the Jewish feast of Passover, the commemoration of their deliverance from Egypt. Passover was a time when all the families in Israel offered a sacrifice of a spotless lamb as the substitute for the forgiveness of their sins.

And now here was Jesus. He would be offered as the sinless sacrifice, the Lamb of God, to take away the sins of the world. Jesus was and is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb!

The Jews were looking for the Messiah and felt that he would come and save them from the political tyranny that was holding them down. The crowd came to the streets waving palm branches, shouting, throwing their coats to the ground in front of the donkey.

They were wanting someone to liberate them from Caesar and his rule but Jesus came for a much greater purpose – He came to set all men free from a life of separation from God the Father.

“The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death. 3 The Law of Moses cannot do this, because our selfish desires make the Law weak. But God set you free when he sent his own Son to be like us sinners and to be a sacrifice for our sin. God used Christ’s body to condemn sin. 4 He did this, so that we would do what the Law commands by obeying the Spirit instead of our own desires.” Romans 8:2-4

Many overlook the natural circumstances of this event and focus  on the spiritual. The young donkey would have been terribly frightened by all the noise and the coats and the palm branches. He would have been hesitant to go forward but Jesus urged him on with calm assurance. Jesus brought peace to a turbulent situation.

Have you been in a situation that made you want to turn around and run? You just didn’t want to go forward; the fight or flight instinct was weighing in heavily on the “flight”.  Then take courage as our little donkey did. Trust the One who is leading you forward.

I don’t know if you see yourself as one of the disciples who went to retrieve the colt, a member of the crowd who was there to praise the Lord or the colt who was used to carry the Savior. All had their part in the celebration.

Palm Sunday is just a few days away. Join in. Cut down some palm branches, throw your coat before the King and lift up your hands and praise Him!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!!

Posted on

A LESSON FROM THE LIFE OF SAINT PATRICK

( I copied and shared this a few years ago. It was printed by Gateway Church. True to say, thank you Saint Patrick.)

Kidnapped by raiding pirates at the age of 16 and carried away from his family in Britain, Patrick was taken to Ireland and sold as a slave to an uncivilized, barbaric Irish chieftain. Assigned the menial and mundane task of caring for his master’s sheep, Patrick was forced to endure months of solitude out in the wild hills of Ireland with nothing but sheep to keep him company. Struggling to survive the bone-chilling weather and desperately fighting off his ever-present gnawing hunger pains, Patrick turned to the only place he could for help … God.

Having been raised in the lap of luxury as the son of a nobleman, Patrick had never spent much time thinking about God. Although he had grown up in a Christian home—his father was a deacon in the church and his grandfather had been an elder—his faith had not been real to him. But now, his bleak conditions and overwhelming loneliness led him to look to the only Source who could give him strength and comfort. Much like David the shepherd boy had done so many years before, Patrick spent his days and weeks of isolation pouring out his heart to God. He writes: “Tending flocks was my daily work, and I would pray constantly during the daylight hours. The love of God and the fear of Him surrounded me more and more—and faith grew and the Spirit was roused, so that in one day I would say as many as a hundred prayers and after dark nearly as many again, even while I remained in the woods or on the mountain. I would wake and pray before daybreak—through snow, frost, rain—because the Spirit within me was ardent.”

This continued for seven long years, until one night God spoke to Patrick in a dream telling him his prayers had been heard and he should arise and go for a boat was waiting to take him home. Although he was nowhere near the sea and had no idea as to which direction he should go, Patrick set out in faith following God’s direction. He walked for more than 200 miles, never once getting stopped or questioned, until he came to the sea where a boat was anchored in the bay.

The captain of the boat viewed Patrick with suspicion when he came asking for passage to England and refused to allow him on board. So Patrick walked away and began to pray. Before he could even finish his prayer, one of the ship’s crew members came running after him asking him to come back to the boat. The captain had undergone a sudden change of heart and was now bending over backwards to accommodate any and all of Patrick’s needs.

Patrick’s journey home was long and arduous, but a few years later, he returned home to his mother and father’s welcoming arms. He tried to settle back into his old life, but try as he might, Patrick couldn’t forget the people who had held him captive for seven years.

One night as Patrick was sleeping, he had a vision of an Irish man beckoning him to return to Ireland because they were hopelessly lost in darkness and desperately needed the light of God’s truth. Though his parents begged him to stay in Britain, Patrick chose to obey and follow God’s call to go back to the land of his captivity so that he could bring the light of the gospel to a people lost in darkness. Because Christ had given His life for him, Patrick believed he could do no less.

Patrick had every reasonable right to stay in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family. But placing his life and freedom in God’s hands, he went back to Ireland to proclaim the message of God’s love and forgiveness to those who had never heard it … to the people who were his enemies. Traveling throughout the land, he baptized thousands of converts, discipled new believers, started scores of churches, trained church leaders, ordained pastors, fought against injustice and sent out missionaries and evangelists. And because of Patrick’s obedience to the Lord, an entire nation was evangelized and the course of history was changed. Eventually, a flood of missionaries emerged out of Ireland and spread throughout Scotland, England and the rest of Europe, sparking a great revival. In fact, between AD 650 and AD 850, more than half of all-known biblical commentaries were written by the Irish.

The Bible tells the stories of two men who found themselves in similar situations as Patrick. God called them to go take His message to their enemies. But each responded in completely different ways. Jonah chose to ignore God’s command to go to Nineveh and ran in the opposite direction. His disobedience led to him being swallowed by a huge fish. On the other hand, when the Lord came to Ananias in a vision and called him to go find his enemy Saul—a man well-known for hunting down and killing anyone who followed Jesus—and pray for his healing, Ananias chose to obey, trust God and go. Through Ananias’ obedience, God moved in the life of Saul, who later became Paul, the man responsible for writing over half of the New Testament.

Although it’s never easy, Jesus’ instructions to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” aren’t a polite suggestion or request. They’re a command.

Your “enemy” may be your neighbor, a difficult co-worker or even a once-close friend who betrayed you. Regardless of who it is, ask the Lord to show you how you can actively demonstrate His love to them today. Then go out and follow His leading.

——————————————————

“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ on my right, Christ on my left
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me”
–Patrick of Ireland–

(excerpt from “Let’s Go”–a Gateway Church devotional)

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress