Category: Obedience

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God Provides

Dave and I spend quite a bit of time reminiscing about our adventures, friends and family. And last night was no different. We spent time talking about where to go for dinner tonight.

You see, today is our 53rd anniversary and we are currently living about 20 miles from where we were married and the night before our wedding we ate at an amazing steakhouse that is no longer there. It was destroyed in a fire but we still remember the delicious dinners we had there. Wish there was a place like that to go tonight.

Kind of reminds me of a Scripture.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who trusts in Him! 9 O fear the Lord, all you who belong to Him. For those who fear Him never want for anything.” Psalm 34:8-9 NLV

Years ago when we were young in faith and learning to listen to the Lord’s voice we had a cowboy preacher, a dear friend, tell us this: If God says go South, He will provide; If you go North you’ll think you died!

Now that’s not scripture but it is scriptural. That’s what it means to “taste and see” or it could be put “trust and obey”. We learn about the goodness and provision of God by trusting, tasting, putting Him first.

Our walk with the Lord has been learning to trust Him in the small things and then remembering how “good” it was to be obedient when a large issue came up.

All through the Bible we see examples of the Lord doing just that. He provided for the Israelites in the desert. He gave them manna and quail and water gushed from a rock. Before that, Joseph used the Pharoah’s grain to feed his family during the famine.  Noah and his family were safe and dry in the ark.

When the wise men came to see the child Jesus they brought gifts of gold, myrrh and frankinscense. Soon after their departure the Lord instructed Joseph to take his family to Egypt. The Lord had provided what they needed for the trip.

It’s important that we follow with the Lord with a trusting heart.

“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.” Proverb 3:5-8 ERV

When we follow His plan for us there may be times of uncertainty but we don’t need to be afraid. When we listen, He speaks and when we follow His leading we are blessed!

“Today I am giving you a choice. You may choose the blessing or the curse. 27 You will get the blessing if you listen and obey the commands of the Lord your God that I have told you today.” Deuteronomy 11:26-27 ERV

 We have a choice – it would be silly to lean to our own understanding since following Him is the right way to go and His wisdom is perfect.

“ 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

Go South today – He will provide!!!

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Get Up & Go!

This week has presented me with some real challenges and in fact, I was sidelined for a few days. Maybe you were too. Things just not the way you planned, and you faced set backs? Well, today it’s time to get up and go again!

Today is a day of victory!!

I went to Bible Gateway and looked up the words “arise go”. Definitely didn’t find the vernacular I’m accustomed too, “saddle up and ride” but it means the same.

The prodigal son said “I will arise and go to my father’s house”; Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Arise take up your bed and walk and go to your house”; he also told the leper “Arise and go thy way, thy faith has made thee whole”; then there was the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus when the Lord spoke from heaven and told him to “Arise and go into the city”. Of course, we have the angel telling Joseph to “Arise and go to Egypt” with Mary and baby Jesus to keep him from being killed by Herod.

However this morning I want us to look at a story of victory “Arise and Go” from the Old Testament. Let’s put the story in context, there is a famine in the land. The Syrian army is in full siege against the Israelites. The Israelites are hold up in the city and things are so bad they are eating animal dung and even their own children. There are 4 lepers outside the city wall, and they are starving to death.

“… Why sit we here until we die? 4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

5 And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.

6 For the LORD had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, …7 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.

8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.

9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.” II Kings 7:4-9 KJV

Notice the thought process of the lepers. If we sit here we will die so they “arose up to go” to the Syrian camp. And when they did, God not only provided for them but He provided deliverance for all the Israelites and destroyed their enemy.

When we arise and go forth, we are moving in the right direction. We can trust the Lord to direct our paths and to secure our outcome. Don’t become complacent and sit where you are until you die. Rise up – go forth – go forth in His name and He provides the victory.

Saddle up – victorys is ahead!

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I’m Staying Put

There’s a lady who used to live close to us and she had several dogs that she walked each day. There was one old dog that hated being on leash. I don’t know if he was just so old that he didn’t like to walk or if his feet and legs hurt or if he just didn’t like the leash, but his morning out was more dragging instead of walking. We felt badly for that dog each time we saw her pulling him along but it was a pretty good object lesson.

It reminded me of this conversation Moses had with the Lord.

“The Lord said, ‘I will go with you and give you peace.’ 15 Then Moses replied, ‘If you aren’t going with us, please don’t make us leave this place. 16 But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth.” Exodus 33:14-16 CEV

I see Moses saying “Lord if You don’t go with us, then they’ll have to take me, digging in my heels, and being dragged from here, cuz I’m not goin’ without You!”

Oh, for that kind of determination to be close to the Lord. Too many times, I have found myself running out ahead of the Lord and calling back for Him to hurry and catch up. Those are the times I find myself in situations that are not good for me. Those are the times I find myself asking the Father to rescue me once again.

How much better it would be it if I simply sat down and said I’m not going if You’re not. Period. End of conversation.

We get caught up in our own plans, defending our own reputation, making our way when we should be waiting on the Lord’s lead.

“…But now you will again see the Lord, your teacher, and he will guide you. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, ‘This is the road! Now follow it.’” Isaiah 30:20b-21

These last verses were a prophesy of John the Baptist and that he would proclaim the coming of Christ:

“Someone is shouting: ‘Clear a path in the desert! Make a straight road for the Lord our God. 4 Fill in the valleys; flatten every hill and mountain. Level the rough and rugged ground. 5 Then the glory of the Lord will appear for all to see. The Lord has promised this!” Isaiah 40:3-5 CEV

The Lord came to fill in our valleys and bring down the high places, to smooth out the rough and rugged ground. When we go where He goes we may have valleys and rough ground but He WILL make them straight and smooth. He will speak to our hearts telling us which way to go and how to get there.

We need to be determined that we won’t let our own ambitions, pride or desire for things lead us. We won’t let the enemy deceive us into following him.

Let’s dig in our heels and say, “Lord if You don’t go, I’m staying put!”

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Up for a Chariot Ride?

Are you looking to be set-up by God today? You know, those “chance” meetings, wondering about people you used to be close with, just being in the right place at the right time.

God’s set-ups!

Philip was open to God using him. When Saul started persecuting the Chrisitans in Jerusalem, Philip went to Samaria to preach there. Then one day the Lord told him to go south of Jerusalem on the road to Gaza. Philip obeyed.

There he met a high official in Egypt’s political system. The man was reading the book of Isaiah but didn’t really understand what he was reading.

“The Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ 30 So he went toward the chariot, and he heard the man reading from Isaiah the prophet. Philip asked him, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’

31 The man answered, ‘How can I understand? I need someone to explain it to me.’ Then he invited Philip to climb in and sit with him… The official said to Philip, ‘Please, tell me, who is the prophet talking about? Is he talking about himself or about someone else?’ 35 Philip began to speak. He started with this same Scripture and told the man the Good News about Jesus.” Acts 8:29-35 ERV

There are people all around us waiting for someone to be their Philip. We need to slow down from our own demanding schedules and allow the Lord to direct us to them.

It might be as simple as giving someone a smile and a God bless you. It might be asking someone how they are doing and really listening to their answer. Philip was listening, he heard the man and then he asked a question.

It’s the Father’s job to prepare hearts but it’s our job to be prepared to be obedient when He calls on us.

“Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.” I Peter 3:15 CEV

” I pray God will make you ready to obey him and that you will always be eager to do right. May Jesus help you do what pleases God. To Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever! Amen.” Hebrews 13:21 CEV

Are any of you praying for the Lord to send someone to minister to your children or a dear friend? What if that person is too busy? Maybe we are the answer to someone’s prayer? Are we ready?

When we take time to listen to the Father, we will be the answer to someone’s prayer! It may involve a ride in a chariot.

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Sound Advice

No, I’m not talking about PA systems, surround sound, hearing aids or any other type of external amplification.

I’m talking about listening to the still, small voice that the Lord uses when He wants to get our attention.

Advice from a friend or an expert is good but direction from the Lord is better.

“Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.” 11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:10-11 CEV

Jesus is the friend that is always with us. If we listen, we will hear His voice and when we follow Him, He will lead us.

“ My sheep hear My voice and I know them. They follow Me. 28 I give them life that lasts forever. They will never be punished. No one is able to take them out of My hand.” John 10:27-28 NLV

“ The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. 3 He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name. 4 Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me. ” Psalm 23:1-4 NLV

His leading is for our protection. We don’t ever need to fear when we are following Him. Even in a dangerous situation like the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us. Even in the presence of our enemies, He provides for us.

“You are making a table of food ready for me in front of those who hate me. You have poured oil on my head. I have everything I need.” Psalm 23:5 NLV

The Lord is always speaking to our hearts. That’s how a shepherd calms His sheep, He speaks to them and His voice is soothing and calming. Giving them rest.

“23 The steps of a good man are led by the Lord. And He is happy in his way. 24 When he falls, he will not be thrown down, because the Lord holds his hand...39 But the saving of those who are right with God is from the Lord. He is their strength in time of trouble. 40 The Lord helps them and takes them out of trouble. He takes them away from the sinful, and saves them, because they go to Him for a safe place.” Psalm 37:23-40 NLV

Let me advise you to listen to the right voices. Some voices spread fear and distress. Some speak words of greed and selfishness. But there is a voice to follow that speaks peace.

“ So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well. 12 You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. ” Isaish 55:11-12 NLV

Make sure you are listening to “sound advice”.

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What’s the Plan?

It’s Monday. Here in America it’s a federal holiday, President’s Day. What are your plans for the day?

How far out do you plan your activities? Are you spontaneous or do you schedule everything?

Personally, I like to have things run smoothly but I like to do it with the least amount of planning as possible. I have friends who always ask the question, “What’s the plan or what’s on the schedule”. To them I answer nothing, let’s just go and see what happens.

You see we can have such a rigid plan or tight schedule that we overlook what the Lord has for us. The phrase stop and smell the roses isn’t Scripture but it is Biblical. We need to be open for the large and small interruptions in our plans so that we can see what “new” things the Lord has in store for us.

Jesus was always willing to be interrupted by people. I love the words “moved with compassion”. He had a plan but that plan was to touch the lives of those around Him.

“People might plan what they want to say, but it is the Lord who gives them the right words. 2 People think that whatever they do is right, but the Lord judges their reason for doing it. 3 Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:1-3 ERV

Trusting the Lord to direct our steps is never a waste of time. He has a plan for us and His plan is that we touch people’s lives. We need to be open to His direction and He will cause us to succeed.

Now by no means am I saying that we are to go through life haphazardly or without a plan or direction; only that we need to be willing to let the Lord interrupt what we have planned for a bigger purpose.

Verse 3 in the Amplified Bible has always been a favorite of mine:

“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” AMP

Be open for a divine redirect.

“ The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord shows him what to do.” Proverbs 16:9 CEV

So, what are your plans for today? The journey of life is more interesting and certainly more enjoyable when we allow the Father to direct our path!

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Don’t Quit Too Soon

I had been reading my Bible this morning and quit to have my prayer time. I closed my Bible and laid it on the shelf beside me. That’s when these words came ringing through the silence in my heart.

“You quit too soon”. Too soon? Yes, too soon.

I had been reading about Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem; I read about the heads of the clans of Israel. I read Solomon’s words in Proverbs and David’s words in Psalms.

“ Words from good people are like pure silver, but thoughts from the wicked are worthless. 21 Good people say things that help others, but the wicked die from a lack of understanding.” Proverbs 10:20-21 ERV

“Our Lord, everything you do is kind and thoughtful, 18 and you are near to everyone whose prayers are sincere. 19 You satisfy the desires of all your worshipers, and you come to save them when they ask for help.” Psalm 145:17-18 CEV

These words were establishing themselves in my heart. I was beginning to praise God for what I read – how could I have quit too soon? It was then I remembered that my reading yesterday took me up to the last chapter of Luke.

I had read about the mock trial, the persecution and crucifixion of Jesus. The last I had read was of His burial. So, I picked up my Bible and opened to chapter 24 of Luke. The words jumped off the page…

Jesus Is Alive

24 “Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. 2 When they found the stone rolled away from the entrance, 3 they went in. But they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus, 4 and they did not know what to think.

Suddenly two men in shining white clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were afraid and bowed to the ground. But the men said, “Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive? 6  Jesus isn’t here! He has been raised from death. ” Luke 24:1-6 CEV

Now, don’t get religious on me. Listen to what I have to say. Of course, we all know that Jesus is alive.

JESUS IS ALIVE!

Too many times, we read the Bible like a history book, a good story or helpful instruction. But it is the living word of God!

John wrote in the first chapter of his writings that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. Jesus is the Word; He is alive and He is living with us through the pages of the book that we hold in our hands.

Heed the words of the angels – don’t go looking for the living where the dead are. When we need strength, go to the One who conquered death. When we need peace, go to the One who calmed the storm. When we need hope, go to the One who promises to satisfy our desires. When we need wisdom, go to the One whose words are like pure silver.

Don’t quit too soon!

“ For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.[a] 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 NLT

Jesus is alive and because He is, we have His life residing in us!

Don’t quit too soon, let the reality of the living Christ live, really live, in you!

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Think On These

Yesterday’s blog was very timely – A Changed Mind.

God knows what He is doing. King Solomon put it this way in Proverbs 23:7. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:”

If we see ourselves as God sees us and we meditate on His word, we will be victorious when the battles and the challenges come. We’re told…

…I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

…My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Philippians 4:19

…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

…If God be for us, who can be against us Romans 8:31

…the thief comes but to steal, kill and destroy but I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly John 10:10

…if any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally James 1:5

…He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed I Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:5-6

…(Abraham) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4:17

God tells us that the battle is in our minds and we are to renew them to His way of thinking and not to be caught up in man’s natural way of thinking. Sucessful people throughout time have used God’s principal of renewing your mind and have come through with God-like results.

“The weapons we use are not human ones. Our weapons have power from God and can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments, 5 and we tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:4-5

This is what David did as a young shepherd; all the armies of Israel were in fear of one giant but David knew that God would fight with him and so he had no fear and defeated Goliath single handed. Abraham knew he had God’s promise for a child and so at 100 years old, he held on to God’s word and a miracle of conception took place and Sarah gave birth to Issac. Peter was in a sinking boat when Jesus came walking on the water and at Jesus’ word, Come, Peter stepped out and walked to Jesus.

The men and the women of the Bible were/are people just like us, 100% human, what made them special is they chose to believe that God’s words had power and they let those words change their circumstances. We can do the same today.

Give God’s word more credibility than the word of your neighbor, your spouse, a trusted friend and think on His words. Your situations will change as you put your faith in God.

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The Gift of Correction

I had never thought of “correction” as being a gift until I read these verses in Proverbs this morning.

“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.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and the first part of your harvest. 10 Then your barns will be full of grain, and your barrels will be overflowing with wine.

11 My son, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be angry when he corrects you. 12 The Lord corrects the one he loves, just as a father corrects a child he cares about.” Proverbs 3:3-11 ERV

The Lord will lead us in the way that is right. He can be trusted and when He corrects us, it’s because He loves us!

I saw it like this.

Where we live there are a lot of hiking trails. I am not an experienced hiker, and it would be foolish for me to offer to the lead the local hiking group. I could take them on the wrong path, get lost or worse, get someone hurt.

The person to better lead is the one who has gone this way before, the One who knows the trail like the back of their hand. The One who can keep me from going off trail, the One who has the expertise to lead even in adverse circumstances.

Why would I follow such a person? Why would I listen to their correction? Why would I follow their instruction?

The answer to those questions is because that Person loves me and is trustworthy!

God’s gift of correction is not for my detriment; it is for my benefit!

Open the gift of correction that God is offering. It will keep you on the right path!

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Keep Us From Falling

This morning, I woke up thinking about mountain goats. Strange right?

I’ve seen them on our trips through Glacier National Park and other places in Montana. They are majestic animals and their ability to scale the mountainside is unparalleled.

How do they keep from falling?

It’s a question we should ask ourselves from a spiritual point of view. Falling for deception, falling into complacency. Falling into routine. Falling away from our First Love.

“ God is strong and can keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. 25 He is the only God, the one who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25 ERV

God created each of us with a free will. We are free to choose whether we follow Christ or not. No one will be in heaven who was forced to be there against their will. But we must all yield our will to the Father so that we honor Him and live the best life that He has planned for us.

“ Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.” Romans 12:2 ERV

If we let Him, God will change our desires and our way of thinking to conform to what He knows is right and true.

“ Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. 9 And do what you learned and received from me—what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 ERV

When Jesus encountered people – those who needed physical healing, deliverance, forgiveness, those who needed the Father’s love, He would often say to them “Go your way and sin no more”. In other words, go on your way, changed by the power of God and change your lifestyle to honor Him.

“The love of Christ controls us, because we know that one person died for everyone. So all have died. 15 He died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from death so that they would live for him. 16 From this time on we don’t think of anyone as the world thinks of people. It is true that in the past we thought of Christ as the world thinks. But we don’t think that way now. 17 When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!” II Corinthians 5:14-17 ERV

Many times, I pray. “Father, forgive me for doing that again. I am truly sorry, I give you my will. I desire to do those things that please you. You have made me new”.

Repentance is the conviction of the Holy Spirit, reminding us that we were created for better things in Christ.

Let me leave you with these thoughts:

“God is the one who gives me strength. He clears the path I need to take. 33 He makes my feet as steady as those of a deer. Even on steep mountains he keeps me from falling.” Psalm 18:32-33 ERV

“Lord, you be the judge and prove that I have lived a pure life. I have depended on you, Lord, to keep me from falling.” Psalm 26:1 ERV

God created the mountain goat to be able to scale rocky mountain sides. He is more than able to keep us from falling when we submit our will to Him!

Be thankful for steady feet.

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